Vantara Wildlife Rescue Center Faces Scrutiny Over Animal Exports from South Africa

Vantara Wildlife Rescue Center, owned by Anant Ambani, is under scrutiny as South African wildlife groups raise concerns over the export of wild animals, including cheetahs, leopards, and tigers. The Wildlife Animal Protection Forum of South Africa (WAPFSA) has urged an investigation into the legality of these transfers, questioning their compliance with CITES regulations.

By TVN Bureau Mar 11, 2025, 19:22 IST

Vantara Wildlife Rescue Center: The Wildlife Animal Protection Forum of South Africa (WAPFSA), a network of 30 organizations, has raised concerns about the export of wild animals from South Africa to Vantara, a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center owned by Anant Ambani, son of Mukesh Ambani.

The forum has written to South African Environment Minister Dion George, urging an investigation into the matter. Their main concern is whether the animals, including leopards, tigers, and cheetahs, were traded under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) regulations.

WAPFSA Questions Legal and Ethical Aspects

In the letter, WAPFSA stated that captive-bred wild animals in South Africa might be exported for commercial purposes instead of conservation or rescue.

The forum also raised questions about the 56 cheetahs exported from South Africa, mentioning the lack of proper documentation and non-detrimental findings to justify their transfer.

What is Vantara?

Vantara was launched on February 26, 2024, and inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 3, 2024, marking World Wildlife Day. The facility claims to rescue animals from poor conditions worldwide and provide them with a safe environment in India.

Why is This Controversial?

Possible Violation of CITES Rules: WAPFSA believes some of these exports might not comply with international wildlife protection laws.
Commercial Trade vs. Rescue: The forum suspects that some animals may have been sent for commercial use rather than rehabilitation.
Lack of Transparency: Questions remain about where the exported cheetahs came from and whether the necessary permissions were obtained.

Final Thoughts

The concerns raised by WAPFSA highlight the need for transparency in international wildlife trade. If these exports were for genuine rescue purposes, clear documentation and adherence to CITES rules should be presented.

This issue has gained attention globally, and further investigation may determine whether Vantara is a true wildlife conservation project or a commercial venture.