Nestled across a 3000-acre expanse in Gujarat’s Jamnagar Refinery Complex is the world’s largest zoo and animal rehabilitation centre. Dubbed ‘Vantara‘, or ‘Star of the Forest’, this is a wildlife preservation initiative founded by Anant Ambani, the younger son of the chairman of Reliance Industries, Mukesh Ambani. Its mission is to extend compassionate care and cutting-edge medical support to animals in distress.
Vantara aims to be a safe haven for endangered and abused animals. With state-of-the-art medical facilities, research centres and trained professionals, the Reliance-backed rehabilitation centre has initiatives to rescue injured animals from around the world. Its partnerships range from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF).
One of Vantara’s major rescue operation success stories is that of an elephant Pratima and her calf Maniklal. Before their rescue, Pratima and her calf were being unlawfully kept and faced severe abuse at the hands of their captors – Pratima had several wounds and lacerations, severely stiff limbs, blindness in one eye and was emaciated. Her young calf also suffered from a lack of nutrition.
To rescue Pratima and Maniklal, Vantara’s elephant rescue team of six vehicles, 22 staff members went to Tripura to deliver essential medical aid to the elephants. Through their sincere efforts and intensive medical aid, Pratima and Maniklal’s condition improved drastically. Both mother and calf are now on the road to recovery, having defied all odds of survival.
Since its inception in late February this year, the Vantara initiative has successfully saved 500 elephants and a variety of animals and birds, many of which are critically endangered.
Rooted in Swami Vivekananda’s philosophy of ‘Jeev Seva’, or serving the fauna, Vantara is a pioneering testament to Anant Ambani’s dedication to preserving global wildlife. Not only is this reserve a safe haven for at-risk species of the world, but the highly talked about initiative has also raised much-welcome conversation on the importance of preserving the planet’s biodiversity by leading through example.
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