Maharashtra May Send 50 Leopards to Vantara: Can You Visit Anant Ambani’s Wildlife Rescue Centre in Jamnagar?
India’s ambitious wildlife rescue project Vantara, led by Anant Ambani, is increasingly emerging as a major centre for wildlife rehabilitation and conservation. Spread across nearly 3,000 acres inside the Reliance refinery complex in Jamnagar, Gujarat, the facility has been designed to rescue, treat and rehabilitate animals that have suffered injury, abuse or illegal captivity.
Now, the centre could soon play a bigger role in wildlife management across India. According to a report by Press Trust of India, the Maharashtra government is considering relocating around 50 rescued leopards to the Jamnagar facility.
Maharashtra May Shift 50 Leopards to Vantara
As reported by PTI, sources linked to Maharashtra’s forest department said the state government is planning to send about 50 leopards to Vantara for long-term care and rehabilitation.
The decision comes amid rising cases of human–leopard conflict in several parts of the state. Wildlife officials believe that relocating rescued big cats to a specialised facility could improve monitoring, veterinary care and overall management of the animals.
The arrangement was reportedly discussed between the Maharashtra forest department and the team managing the Vantara project.
What Is Vantara?
Vantara is a large-scale wildlife rescue and rehabilitation initiative supported by Reliance Foundation. The project aims to provide a safe sanctuary for animals rescued from circuses, illegal wildlife trade operations, and unsuitable captivity conditions.
The name “Vantara”, which roughly translates to Star of the Forest, reflects the project’s mission of protecting endangered species while improving animal welfare.
The facility was formally inaugurated in March 2025 by Narendra Modi during his visit to review the sanctuary’s wildlife rescue infrastructure.
Animals Living at the Sanctuary
The centre is currently home to more than 1.5 lakh rescued animals across over 2,000 species.
Some of the animals under care include:
- Asiatic lion and Bengal tiger
- Snow leopard and rare golden tigers
- Elephants rescued from captivity
- Exotic reptiles and amphibians
- Rare and endangered bird species
During his visit, Prime Minister Modi also observed several rare animals, including snow leopards and a group of snow tiger brothers that had previously been rescued from a circus.
Inside Vantara: Key Facilities
Elephant Care Centre
One of the most distinctive sections of the sanctuary is its 600-acre elephant care centre, where rescued elephants live in expansive natural habitats.
The facility also includes hydrotherapy pools and specialised elephant jacuzzis designed to help treat arthritis and other joint problems.
Advanced Wildlife Hospital
Vantara houses a one-lakh-square-foot wildlife hospital equipped with modern diagnostic systems including MRI scanners, CT scans, X-ray machines and intensive care units.
Veterinary teams can also connect with wildlife experts across the world through remote consultations and video-assisted procedures.
Natural Habitat Enclosures
Instead of conventional cages, animals are kept in large naturalistic enclosures designed to mimic their natural habitats, with forests, water bodies and climate-appropriate conditions to support recovery.
Can the Public Visit Vantara?
At present, Vantara is not open to the public.
Although the project began operations in 2024, its current focus remains on rescue operations, medical treatment and rehabilitation.
However, Anant Ambani has previously indicated that the sanctuary may allow public visits in the future, possibly through guided tours aimed at raising awareness about wildlife conservation.
Entry Fees and Ticket Details
Since the facility has not yet opened to visitors, ticket prices and booking systems have not been announced.
If access is allowed in the future, the model is expected to involve limited guided educational tours rather than conventional zoo-style tourism.
Vantara’s Long-Term Vision
The project is guided by the philosophy of “Jeev Seva” — service to animals. Its long-term goal is to become a global hub for wildlife rescue, veterinary treatment and conservation research.
Future plans include expanding rescue operations and working with institutions such as the Central Zoo Authority to strengthen wildlife care infrastructure in the country.
With the possible relocation of dozens of leopards from Maharashtra, Vantara could soon become one of India’s most important centres for big-cat rehabilitation and wildlife conservation.
