![\"India](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.animals24-7.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/Picsart_25-03-16_21-44-46-068-e1742186719646.jpg?ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/p>\nIndia prime minister Narendra Modi with young orangutan.\u00a0 (Beth Clifton collage)<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n JAMNAGAR, India\u2013\u2013<\/strong>Somewhere between 5,000 and 7,500 years ago,\u00a0 Biblical tradition and Mesopotamian texts have it,\u00a0 a man named Noah built a huge ark,\u00a0 he claimed under orders from God,\u00a0 much to the bewilderment and suspicion of his neighbors.<\/p>\n Noah\u2019s Ark on Mount Ararat, painted by Simon de Myle in 1570.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Filling the ark with a male and female of every kind of animal,\u00a0 Noah supposedly saved biological diversity when God subsequently destroyed the world with a deluge lasting forty days and forty nights.<\/p>\n Anant Ambani,\u00a0 29,\u00a0 son of the reputed twelfth richest man in the world,\u00a0 apparently motivated by his own inner voice from God,\u00a0 is attracting comparable suspicion and bewilderment for building and stocking Vantara.<\/p>\n Vantara,\u00a0 meaning \u201cStar of the Forest\u201d in Hindi,\u00a0 is a 5.4-square-mile series of wildlife habitats wrapped around the perimeters of Anant Ambani\u2019s father Mukash Ambani\u2019s Reliance petrochemical complex in Gujarat state,\u00a0 near Jamnagar city.<\/p>\n Map of Vantara.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Anant Ambani is reportedly also developing a second Vantara on the far side of India,\u00a0 in the Kaziranga region of Assam.<\/p>\n As ANIMALS 24-7<\/strong> pointed out in a previous look at the Vantara project,\u00a0 Vantara: billionaire-built zoo\/sanctuary has conservationists in a dither<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0 a growing global chorus of conservationist nay-sayers are currently bashing Anant Ambani and Vantara,\u00a0 essentially because while Anant Ambani calls it a \u201czoo,\u201d\u00a0 it is not really a zoo at all,\u00a0 not now,\u00a0 anyway,\u00a0 and it is not following zoo conventions for animal acquisition.<\/p>\n Vantara is,\u00a0 however,\u00a0 currently a nonprofit sanctuary,\u00a0 as sanctuaries are defined by the American Sanctuary Association,\u00a0 Association of Sanctuaries,\u00a0 and Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries,\u00a0 not open to paying visitors\u2013\u2013at least not yet,\u00a0 if it ever will be.<\/p>\n Anant Ambani, director of Vantara.<\/strong><\/em> The most recent explosion of criticism of Vantara followed the March 13,\u00a0 2025 publication of \u201cThe largest zoo in the world,\u201d\u00a0 an investigative report by Christoph Cadenbach, \u00a0Sebastian Erb, Lima Fritsche, Mauritius Much and David Pfeifer of S\u00fcddeutsche Zeitung<\/em>,\u00a0 one of the best-reputed newspapers in Germany,\u00a0 better known as just SZ<\/em>,\u00a0 assisted by the also well-reputed Venezuelan investigative media outlet Armando Info<\/em>.<\/p>\n Opened the SZ <\/em>report,\u00a0 \u201cVantara in India is said to be a kind of luxury shelter for animals in need, \u00a0financed by one of the world\u2019s richest families. \u00a0But have the tens of thousands of animals actually been saved?\u201d<\/p>\n The \u201copaque zoo project,\u201d \u00a0SZ <\/em>alleged, \u00a0\u201cmay have fueled the global shadow market for wildlife.\u201d<\/p>\n (Beth Clifton collage)<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Indeed it may have,\u00a0 if the SZ <\/em>team are correct in their suspicions of some of the Vantara animal sourcing.<\/p>\n On the other hand,\u00a0 Vantara may also be simply trying to buy out of business some of the world\u2019s most notorious wildlife exhibitors,\u00a0 traffickers,\u00a0 and hunting ranch operators.<\/p>\n Such buy-out efforts have a long history of failure,\u00a0 including in attempts by some of the largest and best-reputed humane societies to close puppy mills,\u00a0 fur farms,\u00a0 and horse slaughter auctions.<\/p>\n But there have been some successes,\u00a0 including by the Indian organization Wildlife SOS in buying dancing bear owners out of business and by the Austrian-based organization Four Paws [Vier Pfoten] in buying out a notorious hunting ranch,\u00a0 turning it into the world-renowned Lionsrock sanctuary.<\/p>\n [See Heart failure fells Vier Pfoten (Four Paws) founder Helmut Dungler, 56.]<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Ivanka Trump with a Vantara elephant.<\/em><\/strong> Meanwhile,\u00a0 though failures of the buy-out approach are frequent,\u00a0 and almost inevitable,\u00a0 conventional zoological conservation approaches have had little more success,\u00a0 if any at all.<\/p>\n \u201cZoos like those in Berlin and Cologne obtain many of their animals, \u00a0especially endangered species, \u00a0through so-called conservation breeding programs initiated by the European Association of Zoos & Aquariums [EAZA],\u201d\u00a0 explained SZ.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cVantara and the organizations behind it,\u201d \u00a0specifically the Greens Zoological Rescue & Rehabilitation Center and the Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust,\u00a0 both also Ambani family charities,\u00a0 \u201care not yet members of EAZA, \u00a0which also includes institutions outside of Europe, \u00a0and they have not yet applied for membership,\u201d\u00a0 SZ<\/em> said. \u00a0\u201cThey have also not yet requested admission to the World Association of Zoos & Aquatic Parks (WAZA).\u201d<\/p>\n Jack Hanna was just one of many mainstream zoo directors caught breaking wildlife acquisition rules.<\/strong><\/em> In context,\u00a0 however,\u00a0 this means little.<\/p>\n Since 1973,\u00a0 when the United Nations-brokered Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species [CITES] came into being,\u00a0 accredited zoos following all the rules\u2013\u2013and many major accredited zoos have been caught breaking them\u2013\u2013have chiefly accomplished maintenance of their own exhibition stock,\u00a0 often at severe expense to individual animal welfare,\u00a0 while the global wildlife trafficking industry has only expanded.<\/p>\n \u201cAt least 39,000 wild animals were delivered to Vantara by the end of December 2024, \u00a0many of them in the past nine months,\u201d\u00a0 SZ<\/em> reported,\u00a0 while failing to distinguish between large charismatic megafauna and much smaller species who have also been finding homes at Vantara by the many thousands.<\/p>\n (Beth Clifton collage)<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cAccording to import data,\u00a0 animals were delivered to Vantara from 32 countries worldwide,\u201d\u00a0 SZ <\/em>said,\u00a0 \u201cfrom a total of 53 exporters.<\/p>\n \u201cThe most important exporting country is the United Arab Emirates, \u00a0from whence more than 11,000 animals went to Vantara,\u201d\u00a0 SZ <\/em>continued, \u00a0\u201cincluding endangered species such as 41 chimpanzees,\u00a0 14 orangutans,\u00a0 one bonobo, \u00a0and a mountain gorilla.<\/p>\n \u201cThousands of wild animals were also exported to Vantara from Venezuela, \u00a0including 142 giant anteaters and 101 giant otters,\u201d\u00a0 SZ<\/em> enumerated.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Democratic Republic of Congo sent primarily primates native to that region, \u00a0among them approximately 100 owl-headed monkeys.<\/p>\n \u201cReptiles and birds in particular were delivered from Malaysia and Indonesia, \u00a0including 481 green tree pythons and 520 barred pigeons.<\/p>\n \u201cAccording to the project\u2019s official annual reports, nearly 5,000 animals also came to Vantara from within India. \u00a0These include approximately 220 elephants and many leopards.\u201d<\/p>\n (Beth Clifton collage)<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Fumed German primatologist Angela Meder,\u00a0 \u201cIt makes absolutely no sense to transport a single animal of these species to a rescue center in India, \u00a0far from their natural habitat. \u00a0If these were truly rescued animals, \u00a0they should have been taken to one of the sanctuaries in Africa where other animals of their own species live. \u00a0The goal of every rescue must be release into the wild.\u201d<\/p>\n But Meder may not have looked at a globe or the news recently.<\/p>\n Every animal of any species known to have arrived at Vantara is native to the relatively narrow band of Planet Earth extending from the Tropic of Cancer to the Equator.<\/p>\n Situated within that band,\u00a0 Vantara is climatically comparable to the native habitat of every animal there.\u00a0 The sources of those animals,\u00a0 except for some acquired from South African hunting ranches,\u00a0 have also been within the band from the Tropic of Cancer to the Equator.<\/p>\n (Beth Clifton collage)<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Further,\u00a0 though there are 23 primate sanctuaries accredited by the Pan African Sanctuary Association,\u00a0 whose members and representatives are among the most vehement critics of Vantara,\u00a0 none can claim facilities more spacious or better equipped than Vantara,\u00a0 few if\u00a0 any have had significant histories of success in returning great apes to the wild,\u00a0 and none of the 13 nations hosting PASA sanctuaries enjoy political stability comparable to that of India.<\/p>\n India has had some recent border skirmishes with Pakistan and China,\u00a0 but all 13 nations hosting PASA sanctuaries have been at least partially engulfed in shooting wars within the normal lifespan of a chimpanzee,\u00a0 bonobo,\u00a0 or mountain gorilla.<\/p>\n (Beth Clifton collage)<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n SZ<\/em> \u201cspecifically examined the companies and organizations that, \u00a0according to the data, each delivered thousands of animals to Vantara,\u201d\u00a0 the reporters detailed.<\/p>\n \u201cThese include numerous zoos, \u00a0but also commercial animal traders,\u201d\u00a0 SZ<\/em> explained.\u00a0 \u201cThey are based in countries such as Venezuela, \u00a0the Democratic Republic of Congo,\u00a0 and Indonesia, \u00a0which are considered hubs for the illegal trade in wild animals captured there. \u00a0The United Arab Emirates is also an international hub and destination for this trade.\u201d<\/p>\n All of which appears to be true,\u00a0 but in absence of stable and effective governments in Venezuela and the Democratic Republic of Congo,\u00a0 and of evident political will to address wildlife trafficking in Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates,\u00a0 what mechanism exists,\u00a0 other than those Vantara is using,\u00a0 to free animals from the poachers and traffickers operating in these nations,\u00a0 and give the animals the opportunity to lead safe,\u00a0 healthy lives?<\/p>\n Anteater at Jaguar at Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center-Zoave.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Non-cooperation with wildlife criminals may be the most effective strategy for the conservation of species,\u00a0 but not necessarily for individual animals who have already been netted,\u00a0 their families massacred to facilitate capture.<\/p>\n SZ <\/em>expressed particular concern about \u201cThe Zoocriadero San Antonio Abad, \u00a0located in a large warehouse in an industrial area outside the Venezuelan capital, \u00a0Caracas. \u00a0Literally translated,\u201d\u00a0 SZ explained, \u00a0\u201czoo criadero\u201d means \u201canimal breeding.\u201d<\/p>\n Between May and November 2024, \u00a0SZ <\/em>reported,\u00a0 \u201cThe Zoocriadero San Antonio Abad delivered approximately 3,300 wild animals to Vantara, \u00a0including protected species, \u00a0such as 90 giant anteaters and 100 scarlet macaws.<\/p>\n (Beth Clifton collage)<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cGiven the species and the high number of animals, \u201c\u00a0 SZ <\/em>said,\u00a0 \u201cVenezuelan conservation experts believe it is highly likely that some of the animals exported to Vantara were captured in the wild.<\/p>\n \u201cDaniela Freyer of Pro Wildlife,\u201d\u00a0 SZ <\/em>continued, \u00a0\u201chas discovered further evidence in the CITES database suggesting that wild-caught animals from Venezuela\u2019s neighboring country, Guyana, may have landed in Vantara: \u00a0150 squirrel monkeys and 31 bonneted capuchin monkeys, \u00a0for example.\u00a0 These animals were reportedly sent to India in 2023 and are marked as wild-caught in the CITES database.\u201d<\/p>\n But suppose these animals did land in Vantara?\u00a0 Were they captured to order for Vantara,\u00a0 or were they captured from an area slated for rainforest logging,\u00a0 rescued by Vantara from the exotic pet trade or,\u00a0 perhaps,\u00a0 from cook pots and\/or traffic in traditional Chinese medicine?<\/p>\n A closer look at the circumstances is warranted before a rush to judgement.<\/p>\n Gazelles.\u00a0 (Beth Clifton photo)<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cAccording to the data,\u201d\u00a0 SZ<\/em> said, \u00a0\u201cVantara\u2019s most significant animal supplier is an organization called Kangaroo Animals Shelter Center, \u00a0or Kangaroo Animals Center, \u00a0in the United Arab Emirates.<\/p>\n \u201cAccording to research by the SZ,<\/em> the organization is backed by an animal dealer named Khaled Aldhaheri,\u201d\u00a0 the article said.\u00a0 \u201cOn his Facebook page, \u00a0Aldhaheri advertises an online pet store called Ekat. \u00a0It offers dogs and cats, \u00a0as well as wild animals such as gazelles.\u201d<\/p>\n SZ <\/em>obtained a statement from Ekat \/ Kangaroo saying that,\u00a0 \u201cKhaled has been working with several organizations in the field of animal care and animal welfare for many years.\u00a0 Khaled helps private individuals or institutions who can no longer care for their wild animals. \u00a0All exports and imports of animals are carried out in strict compliance with CITES regulations. These are exclusively non-commercial transfers, \u00a0for which not a single cent is paid or received.\u201d<\/p>\n Skepticism may be in order,\u00a0 but SZ <\/em>did not produce evidence contradicting the claims.<\/p>\n (Beth Clifton collage)<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cAt the beginning of March 2025, \u00a0the SZ<\/em> finally visited Vantara,\u201d\u00a0 the SZ report described.<\/p>\n On arrival at Vantara,\u00a0 the reporting team was asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement.<\/p>\n \u201cBut why should they suddenly not be allowed to report on their visit?\u201d\u00a0 SZ <\/em>asked.\u00a0 \u201cThe purpose of the trip was, \u00a0after all, \u00a0to get their questions answered and form their own opinion. \u00a0To report on it.\u201d<\/p>\n This paranoid and bizarre behavior on the part of the Vantara management contributed to the widespread impression that Vantara must have something to hide,\u00a0 even though no one yet has even hinted at any way that either Anant Ambani or anyone else involved in operating Vantara might be profiting from it.<\/p>\n Anant Ambani.\u00a0 (Beth Clifton collage)<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Even if Vantara is considered \u201cgreenwashing\u201d for the Reliance petrochemical complex,\u00a0 it is by all accounts \u201ca kind of luxury shelter for animals in need,\u201d\u00a0 and very high-end \u201cgreenwashing\u201d as \u201cgreenwashing\u201d goes,\u00a0 creating a great many jobs in a region which other than Reliance has few other major employers.<\/p>\n Suspicion of Vantara was heightened within days after the SZ<\/em> visit when three leading Indian national newspapers,\u00a0 the Deccan Herald<\/em>, \u00a0the Telegraph<\/em>, \u00a0and The Tribune<\/em>,\u00a0 withdrew from their web sites a syndicated report that amplified concerns expressed by the Wildlife Animal Protection Forum of South Africa about Vantara animal sourcing.<\/p>\n Mahesh Deka, \u00a0editor of Northeast Now<\/em>, \u00a0identified by Shinjinee Majumder and Pratik Sinha of Alt News<\/em> as \u201ca Guwahati-based media outlet which has not taken down the story,\u201d\u00a0 told Majumder and Sinha that he both \u201creceived a threatening email after the publishing of the Vantara story,\u201d\u00a0 and \u201cwas also approached by a public relations firm and offered financial incentives to take down the article or change it to a different version which the agency would propose.<\/p>\n \u201cVartha Bharati, \u00a0a Karnataka-based media house, \u00a0received similar communications,\u201d\u00a0 Shinjinee Majumder and Pratik Sinha said, \u00a0\u201cfrom a person identifying himself as a representative of Reliance Corporate Communication.\u201d<\/p>\n The Wildlife Animal Protection Forum of South Africa,\u00a0 headed by longtime South African animal advocate Michelle Pickover,\u00a0 is an alliance of about 30 organizations with well over 30 years of experience in exposing commercial use and abuse of wildlife.<\/p>\n In light of experience,\u00a0 that the Wildlife Animal Protection Forum of South Africa has questions about Anant Ambani and Vantara is quite understandable.<\/p>\n Less understandable is why Anant Ambani does not simply answer the questions,\u00a0 including explaining why Vantara is operating altogether differently from conservation industry norms.<\/p>\nVantara founder Anant Ambani may have good reasons for doing things differently from the international conservation establishment,\u00a0 but he has not done a good job of explaining why<\/em><\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nA 40-day,\u00a0 40-night monsoon<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nA \u201czoo\u201d that isn\u2019t<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n
(Beth Clifton collage)<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\u201cThe largest zoo in the world\u201d<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nTrying to buy the bad guys out of business?<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n
(Beth Clifton collage)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\nVantara is not part of the conservation \u201cold boys club\u201d<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n
(Beth Clifton collage)<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\nConventional conservation approaches are rarely more successful<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n53 sources in 32 nations<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nAnimals from Tropic of Cancer to the Equator<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nPolitical stability<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nSource nations<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nZoocriadero San Antonio Abad<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nWild captures?<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nSkepticism vs. evidence<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nHow Vantara shot itself in the foot<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nLegal threats<\/h2>\n
<\/a>Why not just answer the questions?<\/h2>\n