Vantara

Vantara (transl. Star of the Forest)^[2] is an animal rescue, care, and rehabilitation initiative established by the Reliance Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Reliance Industries.^[3] It is located within a 3,500-acre green belt at Motikhavdi village in Jamnagar district, Gujarat, India.^[4][5] The initiative focuses on the treatment and rehabilitation of injured or displaced animals and the conservation of endangered species, both in India and internationally. Vantara was conceptualized and led by Anant Ambani, a board member of Reliance Industries and Reliance Foundation.^[6] The project was officially launched on 26 February 2024 and was later inaugurated by Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi on 4 March 2025.^[7]

Vantara
Anant Ambani at Vantara with elephants
22.326517°N 69.924159°E / 22.326517; 69.924159
Date opened	4 March 2025
Location	Motikhavdi, Jamnagar
Land area	12.14 Square Kilometer
No. of animals	150,000 Animals[1]
No. of species	2,000+
Annual visitors	0 (Off-Display Facility/Non-Public Access Zoo)
Management	Greens Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre, Reliance Foundation
Website	Official website

As of 2025, the facility reportedly housed more than 150,000 animals across over 2,000 species.^{[8][5][9][10][11]} Vantara received the Prani Mitra award in the corporate category from the Animal Welfare Board of India for its contributions to animal welfare.^[12][13]

In May 2025, Marksmen Daily published an editorial raising concerns over the private nature of the facility, referring to it as a potential "vanity project" due to its lack of public access. The initiative has also faced criticism and controversy surrounding the alleged unethical sourcing of animals and their use in private exhibitions and entertainment.^[14]

History

In media interviews, Anant Ambani has credited his interest in animal welfare to a childhood experience during a family trip between Jaipur and Ranthambore, where they encountered an injured elephant that was subsequently rescued. He described this event as influential in shaping the family's involvement in animal care.^[15] Over time, these efforts transitioned from informal activities to a structured program under the Reliance Foundation.^[16][17] The foundation has stated that the initiative draws inspiration from the concept of jeev seva (service to living beings), which it links to the teachings of Swami Vivekananda.^[18][19]

The facility received its first animal, an elephant named Gauri, in 2009. Gauri had previously been kept in an urban setting in Rajasthan before being moved to the centre.^[20] In 2024, twenty elephants formerly used in logging operations in Arunachal Pradesh were relocated to the facility.^[21][22]

In May 2024, approximately 1,825 animals, including jaguars, tapirs, crocodiles, and various monkey species were brought from Venezuela, transported by air. According to official statements, the transfer was approved by relevant forest departments and overseen by a court-appointed committee.^[23][24][25] However, significant concerns were raised by wildlife activists and legal experts about transferring these jumbos to a far corner of the country that only superficially resembles their natural habitat.^[26] By 2025, the organisation reported caring for over 1,50,000 animals, including elephants, rhinos, leopards, crocodiles, reptiles, and birds.^[27][28][29]

Facilities and conservation

The primary conservation zone of Vantara is the Greens Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre (GZRRC), which spans around 650 acres.^[30] The remaining area includes veterinary units, administrative buildings, and support infrastructure, bringing the total campus area to 3,500 acres.^[31] The facility is not open to the general public.^[32][33]

Among the key units is the Centre for Elephants, which includes an elephant hospital equipped with hydrotherapy pools, medical imaging systems, and other specialized veterinary tools. The broader Wildlife Hospital and Research Centre reportedly covers around 100,000 square feet and includes MRI, CT scan, ultrasound, X-ray, surgical rooms, and quarantine facilities.^[34][30]

Animal care is structured through species-specific enclosures, including dedicated zones for big cats, reptiles, herbivores, and exotic animals. The initiative operates under the regulatory frameworks set by the Central Zoo Authority of India and relevant state wildlife departments. It also maintains internal security and animal transport services.^[35][36]

Despite all these, some animal rights groups in India have expressed skepticism over the privatization of the animals, along with the remote, over-developed, polluted and unsuitable nature of the reservation's location, as Jamnagar is located in a hot, arid climate and the Jamnagar Refinery, the largest oil refinery in the world, is owned by the same company and is located only a short distance away.^[37]

Awards and recognitions

• Prani Mitra National Award in the corporate category from the Animal Welfare Board of India.^[38][39]

Controversies

Allegations of Unethical Animal Sourcing and Wildlife Trade Links

A March 2024 investigative report by Himal Southasian^[40] alleges that Vantara may be indirectly fueling the illegal global wildlife trade under the guise of conservation. The sanctuary has imported around 39,000 animals from 32 countries, including those known for trafficking, raising concerns about the legitimacy of sources and potential violations of international and Indian wildlife laws.^[41] Critics question the transparency of these operations and warn that such large-scale acquisitions—especially from dubious or small-scale suppliers—could incentivize illegal wildlife capture and trade, despite Vantara's claims of legal and ethical compliance.^[42] The investigative report was republished by the Pulitzer Center.^[43]

As a follow-up to earlier reports scrutinizing Vantara's wildlife acquisition practices, the Delhi High Court on 19 May 2025 dismissed a contempt of court petition filed by Vantara (Greens Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre) against the Himal Southasian. Vantara had accused Himal of violating a court order by not removing an investigative article published in March 2024. The court ruled that no such judicial directive existed, rendering the contempt allegation baseless.^[44][45]

In March 2025, a coalition of 30 South African animal rights groups, under the Wildlife Animal Protection Forum of South Africa (WAPFSA), urged their government to investigate the export of wild animals to Vantara.^[46] The coalition expressed concerns over potential violations of international wildlife trade regulations, particularly regarding the sourcing of animals from South African breeding facilities. They highlighted that the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species had previously raised issues about India's compliance concerning live animal imports, including critically endangered species.^[47] Vantara refuted the allegations, stating that all animal transfers were conducted in full compliance with South African and Indian laws.^[48]

Muzzling of Free Press Coverage

Following reports on concerns raised by the WAPFSA, several Indian media outlets have taken down their articles on the matter.^[49] Outlets such as Deccan Herald, The Telegraph (India), and The Tribune (India) removed their stories without explanation,^[50] while others like The Financial Express (India) replaced critical pieces with promotional content. Some media organizations, including Northeast Now and Vartha Bharati, reported receiving threatening emails and offers of financial incentives to delete or modify their coverage.^[51]

Allegations of the Use of Animals for Private Display and Entertainment

During the wedding of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant, allegations against Vantara suggest that it may have violated these guidelines by hosting high-profile guests as a part pre-wedding festivities^[52] such as Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, and Ivanka Trump, with instances like Ivanka posing with an elephant, which critics argue prioritizes prestige over animal welfare.^[53][54] While Vantara claims these tours are educational and approved by the Central Zoo Authority under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 and Recognition of Zoo Rules, 2009, the absence of concrete evidence indicating animal stress or exploitation means no formal violation has been documented. Nevertheless, the optics raise ethical concerns regarding adherence to the CZA’s mandate to prohibit entertainment-focused use of animals.^[55]