Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday inaugurated Vantara, a groundbreaking wildlife conservation, rescue, and rehabilitation center in Jamnagar, Gujarat. The initiative, spearheaded by Anant Ambani, aims to provide a safe haven for rescued and endangered animals while promoting ecological sustainability.
Praising the efforts of Anant Ambani and his team, Modi highlighted the significance of Vantara in preserving India’s rich biodiversity. “An effort like Vantara is truly commendable, a vibrant example of our centuries-old ethos of protecting those we share our planet with,” he said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
During his visit, the Prime Minister toured the expansive facility, which houses over 1.5 lakh rescued animals across 2,000 species. He explored the wildlife hospital, equipped with advanced medical services such as MRI, CT scans, ICUs, and specialized veterinary departments, including cardiology, anesthesia, and internal medicine.
Modi shared heart-wrenching stories of rescued animals, including an elephant blinded by its mahout, a lioness with severe spinal injuries after being hit by a vehicle, and a leopard cub abandoned by its family. He also witnessed a life-saving surgery on a leopard struck by a car and observed an MRI scan being conducted on an Asiatic lion.
The Prime Minister actively engaged with various species, feeding Asiatic lion cubs, a white lion cub, and a rare clouded leopard cub. He also interacted closely with golden tigers, snow leopards, chimpanzees, orangutans, zebras, giraffes, and even a rhino calf.
Among the center’s conservation efforts is a breeding program for caracals, once abundant in India but now endangered. These animals will be reintroduced into the wild after careful rehabilitation. Modi also toured hydrotherapy pools designed for elephants suffering from arthritis and foot injuries.
Expressing his deep concern over animal cruelty, Modi urged people to adopt a more compassionate approach toward wildlife. “How can people be so careless and cruel? Let us put an end to such irresponsibility and focus on kindness towards animals,” he remarked.
Vantara stands as one of the world’s largest animal rehabilitation centers, reinforcing India’s commitment to wildlife protection and sustainable conservation.
