Vantara Healing Wildlife, Restoring Earth’s Balance

Launched in February 2024, the sanctuary is setting global standards in rescue, restoration and species revival

New Delhi [India], September 12: In India’s Jamnagar, Gujarat, a remarkable conservation movement has slowly but steadily emerged as one of the world’s most ambitious and largest wildlife rescue and rehabilitation endeavours, steadily redefining the boundaries of environmental care.

More than a sanctuary, Vantara is a global conservation hub. Spanning over 3,500 acres, it combines large-scale animal rescue, advanced veterinary care, ecological restoration and international partnerships. Its mission: to rescue, rehabilitate and revive species under threat.

Vantara is the brainchild of Anant Ambani, who envisioned the project as a lifelong mission for animal welfare. His personal commitment and active involvement reflect a philosophy that conservation must be hands-on and deeply rooted in compassion.

His work has been recognised nationally and, more importantly, it has brought conservation into mainstream conversations in India, where rapid development sometimes overshadows ecological needs.

Inaugurated by Narendra Modi, India’s Prime Minister, Vantara was created to give animals a second chance—those freed from trafficking, exploitation or conflict. Today, it cares for over 2,500 animals across 2,000 species, housed in habitats that replicate the wild.

But the centre’s ambition goes further. It is positioning itself as a pioneer in species reintroduction, helping return animals not only to health, but also to the wild.

A striking example of this vision is the story of the Spix’s macaw—a rare blue parrot once declared extinct in the wild.

For years, these birds survived only in captivity. Through global collaboration, Vantara helped in their safe breeding, disease-free certification and transfer back to Brazil. Dozens of macaws have now taken flight in their native forests. For the first time in more than two decades, chicks are being born in the wild.

Vantara has also successfully transformed the lives of elephants rescued from abusive environments.

A 600-acre elephant habitat has been created, where these gentle giants now roam free. Modern veterinary hospitals provide treatments such as laser therapy, hydrotherapy and arthritis relief in customized pools.

For many elephants, it is the first time they have lived without chains. For India, it is a model of what ethical care can look like.

Vantara is home to one of Asia’s most advanced animal medical centres. The facilities rival human hospitals:

• MRI and CT scans for precision diagnostics

• Hyperbaric oxygen chambers for healing

• Specialized ICUs and surgical units

• Quarantine wards to prevent disease spread

Every rescued animal undergoes a thorough medical evaluation before rehabilitation. Enclosures are designed with scientific planning—providing space, stimulation, and recovery support.

The result: survival, healing, and in many cases, preparation for reintroduction into the wild.

Behind the project is a team of 3,800 veterinarians, caregivers, biologists and conservationists.

They provide round-the-clock care, manage nutrition plans, monitor behavioural health, and carry out complex rescues. For many, Vantara is not a workplace but a calling.

Its collaboration with international conservation groups and academic institutions are expanding. Whether in reintroducing the Spix’s macaw, sharing medical expertise, or contributing to vaccine development for elephants, Vantara is becoming a partner of choice for global conservation efforts.

Why Vantara Matters

In a world where biodiversity loss is accelerating, Vantara represents:

• Scale: Thousands of acres and thousands of animals cared for.

• Innovation: Advanced medical care and rehabilitation are rarely seen in wildlife rescue.

• Impact: From saving elephants in India to reviving extinct species abroad.

• Vision: Ecological balance, not entertainment.

Vantara is still young, but its story is already one of courage, compassion and conviction. At a time when species are disappearing at alarming rates, it serves as a reminder that extinction is not destiny.

Through science, scale and heart, Vantara is proving that revival is possible—and that India can lead the way.

Link - Vantara | Leading Global Wildlife Rescue, Rehabilitation, and Conservation

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