PM Modi inaugurates Vantara wildlife centre, commends Anant Ambani for compassionate effort

The PM was seen feeding and playing with various species including Asiatic Lion cubs and White Lion cubs.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Vantara animal rescue and rehabilitation centre in Jamnagar on Sunday. The Prime Minister was on a three-day trip to Gujarat.

"Inaugurated Vantara, a unique wildlife conservation, rescue and rehabilitation initiative, which provides a safe haven for animals while promoting ecological sustainability and wildlife welfare. I commend Anant Ambani and his entire team for this very compassionate effort," said PM Modi.

Inaugurated Vantara, a unique wildlife conservation, rescue and rehabilitation initiative, which provides a safe haven for animals while promoting ecological sustainability and wildlife welfare. I commend Anant Ambani and his entire team for this very compassionate effort. pic.twitter.com/NeNjy5LnkO
Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 4, 2025

Vantara is home to more than 2,000 species and over 1.5 lakh rescued, endangered, and threatened animals. The PM closely interacted with various species of animals which have been rehabilitated there.

The PM also visited the wildlife hospital at Vantara which has various facilities including MRI, CT scans, and ICUs among others. The hospital houses multiple departments including Wildlife Anesthesia, Cardiology, Nephrology, Endoscopy, Dentistry, Internal Medicine etc.

He also visited the MRI room at the hospital and witnessed an Asiatic Lion undergoing an MRI. He also visited the Operation Theatre where a leopard was going through lifesaving surgery after being hit by a car on the highway and brought here after rescue.

PM @narendramodi inaugurated and visited the wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and conservation centre in Vantara, #Gujarat. #Vantara is home to more than 2,000 species and over 1.5 lakh rescued, endangered, and threatened animals. PM explored various facilities at the centre and pic.twitter.com/bRfbBTAyblDD News (@DDNewslive) March 4, 2025

The PM was also seen feeding and playing with various species including Asiatic Lion cubs and White Lion cubs. The White Lion cub which was fed by PM Modi was born at the Centre after his mother was rescued and brought to Vantara for care.   PM Modi was also seen doing a high five with a lion. Watch here. 

Vantara houses various endangered species including Clouded Leopard cubs and Caracals.  In Vantara, Caracals are bred under a breeding programme for their preservations. They are released in the wild later.

The rescued animals at the centre are kept in places which closely mirror their natural habitat. Some of the key conservation initiatives undertaken at the centre include programmes for Asiatic Lion, Snow Leopard, One-Horned Rhinoceros, among others.

PM Modi also sat face to face with a Golden Tiger, four snow tigers who were brothers and were rescued from a circus where they were made to perform tricks.

The PM patted an Okapi, hugged and lovingly played with an orangutan. He also took a walk amid grazing zebras. He also fed a giraffe and a rhino calf who was orphaned as her mother died at the facility.

He also saw a large python, unique two-headed snake, two-headed Turtle, Tapir, Leopard cubs which were left in an agricultural field and later spotted by villagers and rescued. The PM also visited elephants lazing in their jacuzzi.

The hydrotherapy pools support the recovery of elephants suffering from arthritis and foot problems, and improve their mobility.  He also saw the workings of the elephant hospital, which is the largest such hospital in the world.

He also released parrots which had been rescued at the centre. The PM also interacted with doctors, supporting staff and workers who are managing various facilities at the centre.