Vantara - Latest News

Yerevan's endangered animals transferred to Indian billionaire's private cages, investigation reveals

In the summer of 2023, a convoy of trucks pulled up to the back entrance of the Yerevan Zoo. There were no public announcements, no press conferences, and no visible environmental oversight, just an offloading. Fourteen brown bears and 12 griffon vultures, species listed in Armenia’s Red Book of Endangered Species, were loaded and sent to Jamnagar, India. They were destined for Vantara (Greens Zoological, Rescue & Rehabilitation Center), a 1,400-hectare fenced compound associated with Anant Ambani, son of the Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani.

Brazil police seize devices from bird expert intrafficking probe linked to Vantara zoo

Brazilian Federal Police seized three cellphones and a computer from renowned bird expert Tony Silva at São Paulo's Guarulhos Airport. Authorities suspect Silva of coordinating the illegal purchase of endangered Brazilian fauna for Vantara, a massive private zoo and animal rescue facility in India run by the Ambani family.

Indian tax on animal imports spells setback for billionaire Ambani family's zoo

India recently introduced a 30% customs duty on animal and bird imports, directly impacting Vantara, the sprawling 1,400-hectare zoo owned by the billionaire Ambani family in Gujarat. The removal of this prior tax exemption significantly increases costs for the facility, which imports exotic animals on a scale unmatched by other Indian zoos.

Vantara, an Indian billionaire's enormous private zoo

An international report highlights numerous irregularities in the mass transfers of specimens to the private facility in Gujarat, India.

India mega-zoo in spotlight again over animal acquisitions

Leading wildlife protection experts have urged India to suspend all imports of the world's most endangered species, endorsing long-running concerns by conservationists about mass acquisitions by mega-zoo Vantara.

How Did a Gorilla Get From Haiti to a Conservation Park Owned by an Indian Billionaire?

A probe of a conservation facility run by the son of billionaire Mukesh Ambani — and inaugurated by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi — has raised questions about how rare animals were imported.

DRC : When Congolese Chimpanzees Become Currency – CITES Exposes ICCN and India’s Vantara Sanctuary

An official CITES report highlights a problematic transfer of chimpanzees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to India. Amid documentary gaps, unclear traceability, and accusations of “laundering” under the guise of “rescue,” the case raises a major question: who truly benefits from Congo’s endangered wildlife? For the independent media outlet Kilalopress, this article examines the mechanics of what could be called “disguised trade” and challenges Congolese authorities on their role in what must now be considered a state affair.

Bogus law firm and fake Google notices: The murky online campaign to suppress stories on Vantara zoo

Multiple journalists and newsrooms from Africa, Brazil, the Czech Republic,
Germany, as well as India have alleged that they were targeted with fake
emails, spoofed legal notices, and copyright claims aimed at suppressing
their reporting that was critical of the Vantara zoo.

75,000 Endangered and Exotic Animals, SLAPP Suits, and Zero Oversight

How oil and coal billionaires with close ties to the Modi government escape judicial and media scrutiny in India.

Why did Reliance’s Vantara get a clean chit in the SC?

The Bench had “no hesitation” in accepting the conclusions in the SIT’s sealed cover report but its directions raise further questions

Conexão Planeta suffers intimidation and attacks for reporting on an Indian zoo that received blue macaws.

Conexão Planeta reported that the birds were sent from Germany's Association for the Conservation of Threatened Parrots (ACTP) to India's Green Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Center without the authorization of the Brazilian government.The Backlash: Following their coverage, which included images of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi holding one of the macaws at the Indian facility, the publication suffered aggressive attacks, targeted trolling, and intimidation attempts.

Inside Supreme Court order affirming SIT
clean chit to Reliance Foundation’s Vantara

While the Supreme Court directed re-sealing of Justice Chelameswar led SIT Report, it also directed that summary of the investigation, finding and recommendations of the SIT shall form part of Order Copy.

How DRC’s endangered chimpanzees end up in a billionaire’s Indian zoo

An operation involving the transfer of endangered chimpanzees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to India has sparked international outrage and serious questions about wildlife trafficking, corruption, and misuse of CITES permits. At the centre of the controversy is a high-profile Indian zoo project, Vantara, and DRC wildlife authorities accused of misrepresenting wild-caught animals as captive-bred to facilitate their export. Conservationists warn that this case could signal a dangerous new chapter in the global illegal wildlife trade. Note: The information in this article is based on allegations and ongoing investigations*.

The World's Largest Zoo

Vantara in India is supposed to be a kind of luxury sanctuary for animals in need, financed by one of the world's richest families. But were the tens of thousands of animals actually saved?

DRC government directive triggers panic in ape sanctuaries amid ongoing conflict

In January, the Congolese national authority in charge of the country’s protected areas issued a controversial directive asking its partner primate sanctuary to send juvenile chimpanzees to the Kinshasa zoo for a breeding program.
Critics say the five-year program planned at the Kinshasa and Kisangani zoos, lacks the necessary infrastructure and a concrete plan, raising suspicions about the true intent of the chimpanzee transfers.
The ongoing conflict in the country adds further uncertainty to the future of sanctuaries and the already threatened apes in the country.