Jamnagar in Gujarat is home on one side to one of the world's largest oil refineries and on the other to a vast green animal refuge called Vantara. Behind this Reliance Foundation wildlife rescue, treatment and rehabilitation initiative is Anant Ambani, son of industrialist Mukesh Ambani. He built the huge project to rescue injured, abused, orphaned and endangered animals and give them treatment and long-term care.

Vantara was formally unveiled on 26 February 2024, though work behind it had begun earlier. Reliance Foundation presents the initiative, led by Anant Ambani, as one of India's largest wildlife conservation and rehabilitation projects. In March 2025 Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Vantara.

Discussion began as soon as reports emerged that lemurs stolen from Bangladesh's Gazipur Safari Park are at Vantara. The most striking fact is its size. Early reports put Vantara at about 3,000 acres; according to Reliance Foundation, the whole initiative now covers more than 3,500 acres, including a separate protected area of about 998 acres for elephants.

The number of animals is another surprise. Vantara's current website says it holds more than 150,000 animals representing over 2,000 species, including mammals, birds, reptiles and other wildlife.

Vantara's most attractive feature is the variety of its animals. Various sources say it has Asiatic lions, African lions, tigers, leopards, elephants, hippopotamuses, giraffes, zebras, okapis, orangutans, lemurs, crocodiles, several species of python and other reptiles.

There are also clouded leopards, a mysterious big cat species threatened by habitat loss and other factors. Clouded leopard cubs have been seen at Vantara, and white lion cubs are among its most talked-about animals.

Elephants have special facilities for treatment, rehabilitation, training and rest. Reliance Foundation claims Vantara has the world's largest elephant hospital. Its annual report mentions a hyperbaric chamber, hydrotherapy, laser therapy and other treatment facilities alongside modern medical care.

Vantara is not limited to keeping animals on its own land. In 2026 it took part in rewilding projects including the reintroduction of blackbuck to Gujarat's Banni grasslands. But such a large project has also raised questions. After controversy over the acquisition and transfer of animals, India's Supreme Court ordered an independent inquiry. Reuters reported that the inquiry found no conclusive evidence of illegal acquisition or abuse, though a need arose to examine the acquisition process and official oversight.

Sources cited: Vantara website.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.