Indian tycoon's giant Vantara zoo announces 'reset', rethinks imports

India's Vantara zoo, billed as the world's largest animal rescue center, has undergone a major transformation under the leadership of John Scanlon, a former head of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The changes come after scrutiny of the facility's rapid acquisition of animals and questions over procedures for importing protected species.

Scanlon, who led CITES from 2010 to 2018, will now chair the zoo's newly-created governing council, focusing on animal acquisitions.

Vantara, founded by Anant Ambani, the son of billionaire Mukesh Ambani, will shift its emphasis from importing animals to supporting conservation efforts in their native countries. The sprawling 1,416-hectare wildlife facility in Jamnagar, Gujarat, currently houses over 260 Asian elephants, bears, tigers, lions, leopards, and hundreds of crocodiles. Vantara has also offered to take in hippos from Colombia rather than have them killed.

In response to concerns, Vantara has strengthened its internal due diligence processes, voluntarily implemented new governance measures, and pledged to build extensive support for local conservation in India and globally. The zoo has self-imposed a one-year moratorium on imports until June 2027 while it establishes the necessary governance, expertise, and processes.

Vantara is also committed to supporting local conservation initiatives, breeding programs, and zoo modernization in India and globally, focusing on projects in various countries such as Brazil, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Indonesia, and Zimbabwe.