Vantara Appoints Former Cites Secretary-General John E Scanlon AO As Independent Chair Of Governing Council

Vantara has appointed former United Nations Secretary-General John E. Scanlon AO as the independent chair of its newly formed five-member Governing Council. The Council is responsible for overseeing Vantara's conservation, care and rehabilitation activities, including final authority over any decisions to acquire an animal.

Scanlon, who was awarded the Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2019 for his distinguished service to wildlife conservation, brings extensive experience and expertise to Vantara. He has worked across every continent and sector in environment protection, nature conservation and sustainable development.

Previously, Scanlon served as Secretary General of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, Principal Policy Advisor of UN Environment Programme, Director of Environmental Law Centre at the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, Trustee of Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Chair of Global Initiative to End Wildlife Crime, Chair of UK Government Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund Advisory Group, Executive President of International Council of Environmental Law, Strategic Advisor to World Commission on Dams, CEO of Department for Environment, Heritage and Aboriginal Affairs, Chair of Environment Protection Authority, Commissioner of Murray Darling Basin Commission, and Member of Steering Committee of IUCN World Commission on Environmental Law.