Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently inaugurated Vantara, an animal rescue, conservation, and rehabilitation centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat, where he spent time interacting with a variety of rescued animals. The visit underscored his deep commitment to wildlife protection and conservation efforts.
The inauguration was attended by Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani, along with Nita Ambani, Anant Ambani, and Radhika Merchant. The Prime Minister explored the centre’s extensive facilities, including its state-of-the-art wildlife hospital equipped with MRI, CT scan, and ICU services, aimed at providing advanced medical care to rescued animals.
During his visit, PM Modi was seen engaging with a range of animals, including Asiatic Lion cubs, a White Lion cub, a Clouded Leopard cub, and Caracal cubs. A video shared on his official YouTube handle captured heartwarming moments of him feeding and playing with these animals. The White Lion cub he fed was born at the centre after its mother was rescued, while the Caracals, once common in India but now a rare species, are being bred at Vantara under a captive breeding program for future release into the wild.
The Prime Minister also visited the MRI room, where he observed an Asiatic Lion undergoing an MRI scan. In the operation theatre, he witnessed a life-saving surgery on a Leopard that had been hit by a vehicle and brought to the centre for treatment. The rehabilitated animals at Vantara are housed in environments designed to closely mimic their natural habitats, ensuring their well-being and gradual reintegration into the wild. Some of the major conservation projects at the centre focus on species such as the Asiatic Lion, Snow Leopard, and One-Horned Rhinoceros.
Among the most striking moments of the visit was PM Modi’s encounter with a Golden Tiger and four Snow Tigers, who had been rescued from a circus where they were forced to perform tricks. He also sat face-to-face with a White Lion and a Snow Leopard. His interactions extended to a diverse range of animals, including Chimpanzees rescued from the pet trade, an Okapi, an Orangutan from an overcrowded facility, a Hippopotamus, crocodiles, and Zebras. He also fed a Giraffe and an orphaned One-Horned Rhino calf, whose mother had died at the facility.
At Vantara, PM Modi also saw some of the rarest species, including a two-headed snake, a two-headed turtle, a Tapir, Leopard cubs rescued from agricultural fields, Giant Otters, Bongos (a type of antelope), Seals, and Elephants enjoying a specialized jacuzzi therapy. The hydrotherapy pools at the centre aid elephants suffering from arthritis and foot problems, improving their mobility and overall health.
One of the most symbolic moments of the visit came when PM Modi released rescued parrots back into their natural habitat, a gesture reflecting the centre’s mission of rehabilitation and freedom for rescued wildlife. Throughout his time at Vantara, he engaged with veterinarians, caretakers, and staff, recognizing their dedication to managing and operating the expansive facility.
-ANI
