Nanditha Subhadra
Vantara, a high-profile wildlife ‘rescue and rehabilitation’ center in Jamnagar, Gujarat, founded by Anant Ambani, son of billionaire business tycoon Mukesh Ambani, is again in the spotlight for wrong reasons. The Supreme Court on August 25, 2025 has asked for a probe on the lavish wildlife facility. The Apex Court constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe allegations of illegal wildlife transfers, animal mistreatment, and financial irregularities at the facility.
Launched in February 2024 and inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March 2025, Vantara, meaning “Star of the Forest,” is promoted as the world’s largest zoological rescue and rehabilitation center. Spanning over 3,000 acres within Reliance Industries’ Jamnagar refinery complex, hosts over 10,000 animals across 345 species, including 200 elephants, 300 big cats, and 1,200 reptiles. The facility boasts advanced veterinary infrastructure, including an elephant hospital with ICU, MRI, CT scans, and hydrotherapy pools. Vantara’s stated mission, rooted in the Hindu principle of “jeev seva” (service to life), is to rescue animals from abusive conditions, habitat loss, and human-animal conflicts, providing lifelong care for those unable to return to the wild.
The court’s decision was on the basis of two public interest litigations (PILs), one filed by advocate C.R. Jaya Sukin, alleging violations of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and international treaties like the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). The PILs claim Vantara engaged in unlawful animal acquisitions, particularly elephants, mistreatment of animals in captivity, and financial misconduct, including money laundering and misuse of carbon and water credits. The court noted that while the allegations lack “material of probative worth,” an independent probe was necessary due to claims that statutory authorities, such as the Central Zoo Authority (CZA), were unwilling or incapable of addressing the issues.
As per the order of the Supreme Court Bench comprising Justices Pankaj Mithal and Prasanna B. Varale a Special Investigation Team (SIT) chaired by former Supreme Court judge Justice Jasti Chelameswar, will conduct an “independent factual appraisal” of allegations against Vantara. The SIT, also includes former Chief Justice of Uttarakhand and Telangana High Courts Raghvendra Chauhan, former Mumbai Police Commissioner Hemant Nagrale, and IRS officer Anish Gupta. The SIT has to submit its report by September 12, 2025, and the case has been listed for review on September 15.
The SIT is assigned to probe the following allegations:
1. Illegal Wildlife Transfers: Vantara acquired animals, including elephants, without proper clearances, violating the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. A specific claim cites the CZA’s confirmation on October 21, 2022, that Vantara lacked 38H clearance for animal transfers. Additionally, investigations by Süddeutsche Zeitung and Armando Info reported large-scale imports of endangered species, such as a mountain gorilla and orangutans from the UAE, giant otters and anteaters from Venezuela, and green tree pythons from Malaysia and Indonesia, raising questions about compliance with CITES.
2. Unlawful Captivity of Elephants: A 36-year-old elephant named Mahadevi (also known as Madhuri) from a Jain temple in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, to Vantara in July 2025, pursuant to a Supreme Court order. This relocation sparked protests by thousands of Kolhapur residents, who viewed the elephant as integral to their cultural and spiritual practices. It was alleged that elephants were forcibly taken from temples and private owners under the pretext of preventing cruelty, potentially in collusion with NGOs and state forest departments.
3. Animal Welfare Concerns: Vantara’s location in Gujarat’s hot, dry climate, adjacent to a Reliance oil refinery, is unsuitable for certain species. Allegations of substandard veterinary care, high animal mortalities, and the creation of a “private menagerie” rather than a genuine rehabilitation center have also surfaced. The facility’s inaccessibility to the public has fueled speculation about its true purpose.
4. Financial and Environmental Irregularities: Financial irregularities, including money laundering and misuse of carbon and water credits in Gujarat’s arid region. The allegation is that Vantara’s operations may serve as a “vanity project” masking industrial impacts, particularly given its ties to Reliance Industries’ net-zero emissions goals.
5. “vanity project” masking industrial impacts, particularly given its ties to Reliance Industries’ net-zero emissions goals.
Vantara has acknowledged the Supreme Court’s order with a statement emphasizing its commitment to “transparency, compassion, and full compliance with the law.” The facility denies allegations of illegal acquisitions, asserting that all wildlife was either captive-bred or rescued with valid CITES permits. Regarding Mahadevi’s transfer, Vantara clarified that it acted under judicial authority, providing care and veterinary support without intent to interfere with cultural practices. The organization has pledged full cooperation with the SIT, urging that the process proceed without speculation to prioritize animal welfare.
The controversy surrounding Vantara reflects broader tensions between corporate philanthropy and regulatory oversight. The facility’s high-profile status, underscored by its role in Anant Ambani’s lavish wedding celebrations in July 2024—where guests like Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates toured the site—has intensified public and activist scrutiny. Critics argue that Vantara’s scale, housing over 150,000 animals, and its private nature raise ethical questions about conservation practices, particularly the lack of plans to reintroduce animals to the wild. The Wildlife Animal Protection Forum of South Africa, during the 77th CITES Standing Committee meeting in November 2023, flagged concerns about India’s compliance with international wildlife trade regulations due to Vantara’s imports.
The SIT’s mandate is comprehensive, covering compliance with wildlife laws, animal welfare standards, veterinary care, and financial practices. It has the authority to seek documents, consult experts, and inspect Vantara’s facilities, with non-cooperation risking contempt proceedings. The probe’s outcome could either validate Vantara’s claims of being a global conservation model or expose lapses in ethical and legal standards, potentially redefining corporate-led wildlife initiatives.
However, the Apex Court’s decision to form an SIT underscores the need for accountability in high-profile conservation projects, particularly those backed by influential corporate entities like the Reliance Foundation..