Sumit Vij

Archives | Among Vantara’s large and varied population of exotic, endangered animals are more than ninety African cheetahs, including over a dozen cubs. A 2024 investigation by Himal found that Vantara has been sourcing animals not only from private entities in India and abroad but also from state-owned zoos in Gujarat and Assam. Some state zoos have also sent to Jamnagar exotic species that were given to them after being seized from trafficking operations. In addition, state forest departments, especially in Maharashtra, have sent wildlife from mining-affected regions and sites of human–animal conflict—often related to a reduction in wildlife habitat—to the private compound, without taking into consideration the environmental and wildlife impacts from its proximity to one of the world’s largest oil refineries. The Himal investigation found that “Vantara has poached veterinary and animal-care staff from conservation NGOs across India.” Read @akhileshhpandey's cover story on how Modi's Project Cheetah is falling apart from our April 2025 issue: caravanmagazine.in/environme… #Vantara Cover illustration by Radhika Dinesh.

A joint investigation by the German publication Süddeutsche Zeitung and the Venezuelan media outlet Armando Info has revealed that Vantara, owned by Anant Ambani, the youngest son of the Reliance chairperson, Mukesh Ambani, has received at least thirty-nine thousand wild animals from over thirty countries since 2022. Several of the imported animals in Vantara actually belong to species that are subject to an international trade ban, under the CITES. The report notes that Vantara has been under international scrutiny for bypassing restrictions under the CITES, possibly with cover from the Indian government. Read @akhileshhpandey's cover story on how Modi's Project Cheetah is falling apart from our April 2025 issue: caravanmagazine.in/environme… #Vantara Cover illustration by Radhika Dinesh.