India’s animal centre vows reset after criticism

Amidst the sprawling 3,500-acre sanctuary of Vantara Wildlife Rescue Centre in Jamnagar, India, a dual narrative unfolds – one of grand ambition and another of deep-seated concerns. As the world's largest animal rescue center, Vantara's gates, reminiscent of a maharajah's palace, conceal thousands of elephants, big cats, giraffes, chimpanzees, and orangutans.

Yet, this very collection, numbering over 150,000 animals from more than 2,000 species across 30 nations, has stirred persistent criticism. The center, home to 200 lions, 200 cheetahs, and 150 tigers, stands as a testament to the vision of its 31-year-old founder, Anant Ambani. Son of India's richest man, Mukesh Ambani, Vantara's expansive enclosures, sprawling over 2,000 football pitches, have been both celebrated and scrutinized.

After enduring years of intense scrutiny, including a Supreme Court-ordered investigation that ruled in its favor, Vantara has embarked on a self-imposed reset. The center has taken decisive steps, halting international animal imports, recruiting global experts, and pivoting towards supporting wildlife within their natural habitats.

CEO Vivaan Karani succinctly encapsulates this shift, stating, "Wherever animals can be effectively supported in their own countries, we increasingly believe our resources should travel, rather than the animals."

Despite this new direction, Vantara remains closed to the public. The center's expansive glass-fronted enclosures house a staggering array of wildlife, from lions and cheetahs to tigers, all under the watchful eye of security. The ambitious endeavor, named "Star of the Forest," was launched in August with a commitment to engage in dialogue, transparency, and evidence-based responses to criticism, veering away from litigation.

Vantara's operations span across multiple sites, including a sprawling oil refinery owned by Reliance Industries, the world's largest. This unique location adds a layer of complexity to the center's operations. As a custodian of such a vast and diverse animal collection, Vantara has found itself under the watchful gaze of CITES, the international treaty governing wildlife trade.

Last year, CITES raised concerns about the center's acquisitions, questioning the legitimacy of specimens traded as 'captive-bred.' The organization urged Vantara to refrain from inadvertently contributing to the illegal harvest of wild animals.