PM Narendra Modi inaugurates ‘Vantara’ in Jamnagar, Gujarat on World Wildlife Day

‘Vantara’, India’s largest animal rescue, conservation, and rehabilitation centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday which also happens to be the World Wildlife Day. The PM visited Vantara which is established by Reliance Industries and Reliance Foundation.
More about Vantara
Vantara is a huge 3000-acre animal sanctuary which is home to around 2,000 species, including more than 1.5 lakh rescued, endangered, and threatened animals. The hub is a creation of Anant Ambani, who is also a director on the boards of Reliance Industries and the Reliance Foundation. The PM’s visit highlighted the center’s significant role in animal welfare and conservation.
Modi visited the on-site wildlife hospital that is replete with modern veterinary equipment including MRI, CT scans, and ICU units. The hospital is divided into specialised departments, including wildlife anesthesia, cardiology, nephrology, endoscopy, dentistry, and internal medicine.
Highlight of Modi’s visit
But what remains the highlight of Modi’s visit is the time and cute moments he spent with animals. He fed and played with a white lion cub, a clouded leopard cub (which is also a rare and endangered species), and a caracal cub.
One of the momentary moments of the PM’s visit was when he released rescued parrots back into their natural habitat. The act symobolises the center's commitment to rehabilitation and the freedom of wildlife.
He also fed a white lion cub born at Vantara, whose mother was rescued. Caracals, once abundant in India, are now endangered, and Vantara runs a breeding program for these animals. The PM also witnessed a range of activities, including seeing an Asiatic lion undergoing an MRI and observing a leopard undergoing surgery in the hospital’s operation theatre after being rescued from a car accident.

Not only this, the PM also came close to dangerous animals such as golden tigers, four snow tigers rescued from a circus, and snow leopards. There is also an orangutan in the centre. He also fed a giraffe and a rhino calf, and even spent time with elephants in their hydrotherapy pools.
Some other notable residents of Vantara include a two-headed snake, a two-headed turtle, a tapir, giant otters, seals, and rescued leopard cubs, among others.