Vantara News: An order has been given to kill 80 hippos living in the Magdalena River Valley of Colombia, a South American country. Anant Mukesh Ambani, executive director of Reliance Industries Limited and founder of Vantara, one of the world’s largest wildlife rescue and conservation centres, has formally requested the Government of Colombia to spare the lives of these hippos. They have proposed a humane alternative: a safe and scientific way to bring these animals to Vantara in Jamnagar, Gujarat, where they can find permanent homes.

​Anant Ambani has made this appeal in a letter to Colombia’s Environment Minister Irene Velez Torres. In this it has been said that full assistance will be provided with the supervision and approval of the Colombian authorities. This proposal reflects Anant Ambani’s commitment towards animal welfare, for which he was recently honored with the Global Humane Award. He is the youngest person and the first Asian to receive this prestigious honour.

It is our responsibility to make every possible effort – Anant Ambani

Anant Ambani said, “These 80 hippos are sensitive creatures who are victims of changing conditions. If we have the ability to save them in a safe and humane manner, then it is our responsibility to do everything possible to do so.

Vanatara has submitted a detailed plan to the Colombian authorities, which includes a team of veterinary experts, safe transport arrangements, bio-security protocols and providing habitat similar to their natural environment.

It is possible to save animals while protecting nature – Anant Ambani

Anant Ambani further said, “Compassion and protection of animals’ lives are not opposed to each other. If we work with the right scientific thinking and in a planned manner, it is possible to save animals while protecting communities and nature. Vantara has the expertise and infrastructure to accomplish this task.

Vantara has formally requested that the decision to kill the animals be postponed until this option is fully considered. Vanatara has also said that he is fully prepared to engage directly with the Colombian authorities and present a detailed scientific, operational and welfare proposal.

Every living being is priceless – Vantara in the proposal

This proposal reflects the basic idea of ​​Vantara that every living being is priceless. It also underlines India’s emerging role in delivering large-scale science-based solutions to complex global challenges related to wildlife. Any implementation of this plan will be done only after obtaining necessary approvals from the governments of Colombia and India and permission from the relevant international authorities.

Let us tell you that there are about 200 hippos in the Magdalena River Valley of Colombia, which are the descendants of a small group brought in the 1980s. Due to the lack of animals that hunt hippos in this valley and the favorable environment, their numbers have increased significantly. This poses a threat to the biodiversity and security of the area. In view of this, the authorities had given permission to kill 80 animals, which Vantara has now taken the initiative to save.

Know about Vantara

​Vantara, located in Jamnagar, Gujarat, is one of the largest and most modern wildlife rescue, care and conservation centers in the world. It provides expert veterinary care, long-term care and specialized facilities for elephants, tigers and lions (big cats), primates, reptiles and other mammals. These are animals that have been rescued from difficult situations such as distress, exploitation or displacement.

​Vantara works closely with conservation organizations, national governments and international wildlife authorities around the world. It has supported global initiatives to rescue, rehabilitate and translocate wildlife across borders. ​Focusing on reviving natural habitats, involvement of local communities, genetic profiling and science-based conservation, Vanatara is creating healthy ecosystems where wildlife can safely thrive. Additionally, it also works towards returning endangered species to their natural environment (rewilding).

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Vantara Foundation Day: Vantara, founded by Anant Ambani, boasts of remarkable work in the field of wildlife conservation, treatment and rehabilitation in its first year. According to the organization, in the last one year, thousands of rescued wildlife including big cats, reptiles, primates, birds and other mammals have been treated and given a new life through rehabilitation. The veterinary team of the organization successfully performed many difficult operations and after recovery, many animals were released back into their natural habitat.

The Prime Minister had inaugurated

A year ago, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had inaugurated the Vantara Foundation. On the occasion of Foundation Day, the organization highlighted its work in wildlife rescue, advanced medical care and science-based conservation. According to the organization, more than 250 elephants, which were used in activities like carrying wood, circus, riding or begging, are being given special and long-term care. Thousands of crocodiles have been rescued from overcrowded facilities and kept in safe environments.

About 1,56,000 kg of high quality animal feed is produced daily, which is distributed through 50 temperature-controlled vehicles. 200 trained professionals and more than 1,000 farmers are helping in this work. The 24×7 rescue team has participated in more than 50 international rescue operations and 15 wildlife rapid response operations.

Honor to Anant Ambani

Anant Ambani was honored with the prestigious Global Humane Award for his contribution to wildlife conservation. The organization has also received several recognitions at the international level, including: Membership of EARAZA, Membership of SEAZA, Global Humane Conservation Certification Prani Mitra Award 2025

Training and Awareness

Vantara has trained hundreds of veterinarians in conservation medicine and conducted more than 50 national and international knowledge-sharing programs. Apart from this, thousands of children were inspired towards wildlife conservation through awareness campaigns. Move towards ‘One Health’ model Vantara, designated as the National Wildlife Referral Center for Western India, claims to strengthen the ‘One Health’ model.

The work has a central laboratory, 11 satellite laboratories, more than 70 experts processing more than 2,000 diagnostic samples per day. Available facilities include bio-banking, next-generation sequencing, molecular diagnostics, pathology, parasitology and toxicology. In its first year, Vantara claims to have worked extensively in the field of wildlife conservation and rehabilitation. If this initiative progresses at this pace, it can become an important model in the field of wildlife care and scientific conservation in India.

Anant Ambani: Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) has said that the year 2025 will be important in many respects for Anant Ambani, the youngest son of its Chairman Mukesh Ambani. He not only took up new responsibilities at the corporate level, but was also seen to be very active during this period in matters ranging from spirituality to conservation of wild animals. Be it the nearly 140 kilometer long padyatra from Jamnagar in Gujarat to Dwarkadhish temple or the mention of wildlife conservation and animal welfare, this year got a glimpse of many different aspects of his personality.

VIDEO | Son of Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani, Anant Ambani completes his 170-km-long ‘padyatra’ from Jamnagar to the Dwarkadhish Temple in Gujarat.

He says, “Jai Dwarkadhish, I want to wish people on Ram Navami. I have taken the ‘darshan’. Thank you.”#anantambani, pic.twitter.com/QBVrYPudXK

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 6, 2025

Sometimes immersed in devotion, sometimes active on the corporate front.

At the beginning of the year, around March 27, Anant started a 140 kilometer padyatra from his residence in Jamnagar to Dwarka, the video of which went viral on social media. This not only shows his unwavering faith in God, devotion and faith, but also shows the determination and discipline with which he fulfills his resolve. After this, in the next few months, he got many responsibilities at the corporate level also. He took up a new responsibility of leadership as the Executive Director of Reliance Industries Limited. Earlier, after reaching Mahakumbh in the month of February, he also took a dip of faith in the holy Sangam and also distributed sweets among the devotees.

Took care of the voiceless also

Going beyond his responsibilities in devotion, faith and business, Anant Ambani also thought about the voiceless. They were taken good care of in the rescue center built for destitute animals in Vantara, Gujarat. Ambani will be sent to Washington, D.C. in December 2025. Also received the Global Humanitarian Award for animal welfare from the Global Humane Society. The honor is a milestone, making him the youngest person and first Asian to receive this award. According to the Global Humane Society, Ambani was selected for the role he played in the maintenance, treatment and conservation of animals in Vantara.

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