Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated ‘Vantara’, the world’s largest wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and conservation center in Gujarat.
The sanctuary, spanning 3,500 acres, has been built to serve as a significant center for wildlife preservation and houses over 1.5 lakh rescued animals, including more than 2,000 endangered and threatened species saved from trafficking, abuse, or habitat loss.
The 29-year-old Anant Ambani, the younger son of Mukesh Ambani, the chairman of Reliance Industries, founded Vantara. The sanctuary is located within the Green Belt of Reliance’s Jamnagar Refinery Complex in Gujarat. “Vantara” is derived from Sanskrit, where “Van” means forest and “Tara” means savior or protector, translating into “Savior of the Forest” or “Protector of Wildlife.”
Vantara has also participated in rescue missions in countries like Mexico and Venezuela and is recognized for leading the world’s largest rescue operations for wildlife.
Established as a haven mirroring natural ecosystems, the sanctuary integrates cutting-edge veterinary care with large-scale conservation initiatives backed by one of the world’s largest business conglomerates.
As per officials, its state-of-the-art hospital—equipped with MRI, CT scans, specialized ICUs, and departments ranging from cardiology to wildlife anesthesia—has treated over 200,000 animals since its inception. The center also houses a neonatal ICU and specialized intensive care units (ICUs) for wildlife.
The center also spearheads captive breeding programs for critically endangered species like the Caracal, once abundant in India but now nearly extinct in the wild. Conservation efforts at Vantara also focus on species native to Bharat, such as the Indian One-Horned Rhino, for which the sanctuary has a dedicated conservation and breeding center.
According to official sources, Modi, known for his emotional connection with animals, spent hours engaging intimately with rescued inhabitants. He fed an Asiatic Lion cub, a rare Clouded Leopard cub, and a White Lion cub born at Vantara after its mother was rescued from distress. The Prime Minister sat face-to-face with a Golden Tiger and four Snow Tiger brothers rescued from a circus, where they were forced to perform tricks.
His visit included playful interactions with an Orangutan formerly kept in an overcrowded enclosure, a hug with a Chimpanzee once kept as a pet, and feeding an orphaned One-Horned Rhino calf. Modi walked among zebras and fed giraffes. Later, he released parrots rescued from illegal trade into the skies.
He praised the center’s hydrotherapy pools for arthritic elephants and its groundbreaking elephant hospital—the world’s largest—which has revolutionized care for the species. The sanctuary is also home to an Advanced Wildlife Research & Disease Diagnostic Laboratory and an Advanced Multi-Specialty Wildlife Hospital that provides specialized care for injured animals.
The sanctuary has taken in rare and unique rescues, including a two-headed turtle, and actively works on saving endangered species. It is also at the forefront of the world’s largest Cheetah conservation project.
The Prime Minister’s affinity for wildlife traces back to initiatives like Project Lion and expanded tiger reserves. He had recently visited Gir National Park.
Beyond its medical prowess, Vantara’s success lies in rehabilitating animals—from leopards injured on highways to crocodiles and Okapis—into habitats resembling their native environments. The sanctuary is home to over 25 million trees, ensuring a thriving ecosystem for its diverse inhabitants.