India’s animal megacentre vows reset after criticism

Vantara, billed as the world’s biggest animal rescue centre based in Jamnagar, Gujarat, has pledged a reset following criticism over how it amassed its collection of wildlife, according to Dawn and The Straits Times. Vantara CEO Vivaan Karani stated that the facility has halted imports, hired global experts, and shifted towards helping wildlife in its natural habitat, saying, “Wherever animals can be effectively supported in their own countries, we increasingly believe our resources should travel, rather than the animals.” Spanning 3,500 acres, the facility is the vision of Anant Ambani, son of Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani. The centre houses more than 150,000 animals from over 2,000 species brought from at least 30 countries. The acquisitions have drawn the attention of the secretariat overseeing CITES, which urged reforms regarding captive-bred specimens, while last month 27 international conservation organisations demanded measurable reforms and full public transparency over the origins of every animal. Karani defended the facility by pointing to a Supreme Court-ordered probe that found no evidence of any breach or offence.

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3 Nov 2026News
UK ministers told not to engage formally with Indian mega zoo after lobbying
UK government officials advised ministers against formal engagement with the Greens Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre, a private mega-zoo housing numerous wild animals in Jamnagar, Gujarat. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office diplomats issued this guidance after lobbying by representatives of the facility in Jamnagar, Gujarat. Internal documents showed that officials cautioned against providing a formal platform to the project. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office stated that the facility has acquired species including elephants and leopards for its operations. Officials raised concerns that ministerial involvement could be seen as an official endorsement of the private entity. An internal communication stated that "we should avoid any formal ministerial engagement" to maintain distance from the project. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office recommended that future interactions be limited to technical or informal levels instead of high-level diplomatic support. No hearing or investigation was mentioned.
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10 Jul 2026Official Release
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India’s animal megacentre vows reset after criticism

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More in Courts and Judgments

UK ministers told not to engage formally with Indian mega zoo after lobbying

Vantara brings the world’s wildlife community to Jamnagar for EARAZA annual conference 2026

Elephant “Mridula” welcomes new calf as Manas celebrates rare wildlife births

From the Library

Human wildlife conflict centre and portal launched

28th meeting of the Wildlife Institute of India Society

90th meeting of the National Board for Wildlife committee