PM Modi visits Vantara in Jamnagar; feeds lion cubs, giraffes

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently inaugurated and toured Vantara, a wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and conservation facility in Gujarat.
The centre houses over 2,000 species and more than 1.5 lakh rescued, endangered, and threatened animals. The Prime Minister examined various facilities and engaged directly with rehabilitated animals during his visit.

At Vantara's wildlife hospital, PM Modi observed the advanced veterinary facilities, including MRI, CT scans, and ICUs, along with specialised departments such as Wildlife Anaesthesia, Cardiology, Nephrology, Endoscopy, Dentistry, and Internal Medicine.
During his visit, the Prime Minister interacted with and fed several cubs, including Asiatic Lions, a White Lion, a rare Clouded Leopard, and a Caracal.

The White Lion cub fed by PM Modi was born at Vantara after its rescued mother was brought to the centre.
In the hospital's MRI room, he witnessed an Asiatic Lion's scan and visited the Operation Theatre where surgeons were treating a Leopard injured in a highway accident.
The centre maintains environments that replicate natural habitats for rescued animals. Their conservation programmes focus on species like the Asiatic Lion, Snow Leopard, and One-Horned Rhinoceros.

The Prime Minister had close encounters with several predators, including a Golden Tiger, four Snow Tigers rescued from a circus, a White Lion, and a Snow Leopard.
He interacted with various animals: patting an Okapi, meeting free-roaming Chimpanzees, embracing Orangutans, observing an underwater Hippopotamus, viewing crocodiles, walking amongst Zebras, and feeding a Giraffe and orphaned Rhino calf.
His visit included viewing a large Python, a two-headed snake, a two-headed Turtle, Tapir, rescued Leopard cubs, Giant otter, Bongo antelope, and Seals.
He also visited the world's largest elephant hospital. The Prime Minister also engaged with the medical team, support staff, and workers managing the centre's facilities.
Meanwhile, spiritual leaders Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, who also visited the facility, expressed their admiration for 'Vantara' and commended Anant Ambani's dedication to the initiative.


Named 'Vantara', which translates to 'Star of the forest', this extensive conservation project encompasses 3,000 acres within the Reliance Jamnagar Refinery Complex, recognised as Gujarat's Green Belt.
This significant undertaking, conceived by Anant Ambani with backing from Reliance Industries and Reliance Foundation, serves as a sanctuary for distressed, wounded and threatened wildlife. Rather than functioning as a conventional zoo, Vantara operates as a comprehensive rehabilitation facility, creating environments that replicate the natural habitats of its rescued inhabitants.
Under the supervision of an international team of specialists, Vantara represents a groundbreaking development in wildlife preservation and rehabilitation. The establishment, situated within the verdant expanse of Jamnagar, provides veterinary care and protection to various animal species, each receiving individualised attention and treatment.