Vantara, described as the world's largest animal sanctuary and conservation center, is housing approximately 150,000 animals from 2,000 species across 44 countries. Founded by Anant Ambani, the youngest son of India's wealthiest man, Mukesh Ambani, the 4,500-acre facility in Gujarat state features 22 state-of-the-art hospitals dedicated to treating animals rescued from various dire situations.
These animals have been saved from private collections, bushmeat markets, defunct zoos, war zones, circuses, and logging camps. Some were bred for illegal trophy hunting or trafficked for their body parts, while others were victims of natural disasters. The center has treated a cheetah with a shattered leg flown from a financially struggling South African sanctuary, a royal Bengal tiger that killed villagers, and elephants rescued from harsh conditions.
Vantara receives around 100 calls daily from across the globe seeking assistance. With a staff of 5,000, including scientists and biologists, the center often responds to these appeals. A 'war room' coordinates responses to natural disasters, dispatching medical teams to rescue animals, with a priority to return them to their native habitats or find them new guardians. However, many are brought to Vantara.
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The center is also engaged in extensive scientific research, with plans to exchange groundbreaking research with London's Natural History Museum. Vantara houses the world's largest animal biobank, holding one million samples from over 1,000 species, including 260 rescued Asian elephants. This data is intended to aid wildlife conservation and potentially human health research, such as understanding cancer resistance genes in elephants.
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Despite its scale and technological resources, Vantara has faced criticism from some conservationists. Concerns have been raised that it functions as a private collection or zoo, with accusations of sidestepping import regulations for animals from certain countries. The facility's proximity to a Reliance oil refinery has also sparked environmental and welfare concerns, though Vantara states the refinery has zero carbon emissions.
In response to the criticism, Vantara announced a shift in strategy, moving away from importing animals and focusing on supporting conservation efforts, rescue centers, and veterinary hospitals in their countries of origin. The center aims to be judged by the number of animals helped in their natural habitats and the scientific expertise shared globally.
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This revised approach may influence decisions regarding a herd of hippos that escaped from former drug lord Pablo Escobar's estate in Colombia. Vantara has expressed willingness to assist in their long-term care, potentially playing a role in managing the hippos to ensure the safety of both the animals and local communities.
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The center's operations began with Anant Ambani's childhood experience rescuing an elephant named Gauri, leading to the establishment of an elephant sanctuary that eventually expanded into Vantara. The facility is not open to the public, which has contributed to claims of secrecy, although local schoolchildren reportedly visit for educational purposes.
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