Investigators in India will visit a vast private zoo owned by the billionaire Ambani family, after the Supreme Court ordered an inquiry into allegations that animals were acquired unlawfully and mistreated. The inquiry will also examine possible violations of wildlife laws at Vantara, as well as allegations of financial irregularities and money laundering. The Supreme Court said there was no proof to support the allegations but ordered an inquiry because authorities had been accused of failing in their duties.
Vantara, run by Anant Ambani - son of Asia's richest man Mukesh Ambani - is home to hundreds of elephants, tigers, and other animals. It has promised full co-operation with the inquiry. Vantara remains committed to transparency, compassion, and full compliance with the law. Our mission and focus continues to be the rescue, rehabilitation, and care of animals, it said, without directly commenting on the allegations.
Spread over 3,500 acres and home to some 2,000 species, Vantara bills itself as the world's largest wildlife rehabilitation centre. It was one of the venues for Anant Ambani's lavish pre-wedding events that made global headlines last year. The animal collection is located in Jamnagar in Gujarat, close to Mukesh Ambani's oil refinery - the largest in the world.
Vantara was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March this year and was praised during his visit. However, the facility has been closed to the public and faced long-standing criticism from wildlife activists and conservationists. The Supreme Court was ruling on public interest petitions that it deemed contained unsupported allegations but decided to instigate an independent factual appraisal.
Vantara is alleged to house about 200 elephants, 300 big cats including leopards and tigers, as well as over 300 herbivores and 1,200 reptiles. Criticism has also been directed at Vantara's location in Gujarat's hot climate, alongside major industrial operations unsuitable for some species. The Supreme Court has instructed a four-member Special Investigation Team to submit its report by 12 September, focusing on claims of illegal animal acquisition, especially concerning elephants, as well as wildlife law violations.
Vantara, run by Anant Ambani - son of Asia's richest man Mukesh Ambani - is home to hundreds of elephants, tigers, and other animals. It has promised full co-operation with the inquiry. Vantara remains committed to transparency, compassion, and full compliance with the law. Our mission and focus continues to be the rescue, rehabilitation, and care of animals, it said, without directly commenting on the allegations.
Spread over 3,500 acres and home to some 2,000 species, Vantara bills itself as the world's largest wildlife rehabilitation centre. It was one of the venues for Anant Ambani's lavish pre-wedding events that made global headlines last year. The animal collection is located in Jamnagar in Gujarat, close to Mukesh Ambani's oil refinery - the largest in the world.
Vantara was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March this year and was praised during his visit. However, the facility has been closed to the public and faced long-standing criticism from wildlife activists and conservationists. The Supreme Court was ruling on public interest petitions that it deemed contained unsupported allegations but decided to instigate an independent factual appraisal.
Vantara is alleged to house about 200 elephants, 300 big cats including leopards and tigers, as well as over 300 herbivores and 1,200 reptiles. Criticism has also been directed at Vantara's location in Gujarat's hot climate, alongside major industrial operations unsuitable for some species. The Supreme Court has instructed a four-member Special Investigation Team to submit its report by 12 September, focusing on claims of illegal animal acquisition, especially concerning elephants, as well as wildlife law violations.
