Anant Ambani’s Vantara honoured with India’s highest animal welfare award

Jamnagar: Anant Ambani's Vantara has been honoured with the prestigious 'Prani Mitra' National Award, India's highest accolade in animal welfare, under the 'Corporate' category. The Government of India has recognised the exceptional contributions of the Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust (RKTEWT), an organisation under Vantara dedicated to the rescue, treatment, and lifelong care of elephants.

The 'Prani Mitra Award' in the Corporate category is awarded to corporations, PSUs, government bodies, and cooperatives that have made continuous contributions to animal welfare over the past five years. This includes Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funding dedicated to animal welfare initiatives.

According to sources, Vantara's state-of-the-art Elephant Care Centre provides a chain-free, secure, and enriching environment for over 240 rescued elephants. These include 30 elephants from circuses, more than 100 from the logging industry, and others rescued from exploitative practices such as rides and street begging. Many of these elephants have suffered years of neglect and mistreatment.

Designed to support both physical and psychological well-being, the centre allows elephants to roam freely, socialise, and engage in natural behaviours across 998 acres of specially created forest. The environment enables them to forage, take mud and dust baths, and bathe in natural ponds, enhancing their overall health and welfare.

Award ceremony in New Delhi

The award was presented by the Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, Government of India, at a ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.

Vivaan Karani, CEO of Vantara, expressed gratitude for the recognition, stating, "This award is a tribute to the countless individuals who have devoted their lives to protecting and caring for India's animals. At Vantara, serving animals is not just a duty--it is our dharma and seva, a commitment deeply rooted in compassion and responsibility. We remain relentless in our mission to elevate welfare standards, drive impactful initiatives, and safeguard India's rich biodiversity for generations to come."

Cutting-edge medical facilities

The Elephant Care Centre at Vantara houses the world's largest elephant hospital, offering advanced veterinary care that integrates allopathy with alternative medicine. This includes Ayurveda for chronic disease management and acupuncture for pain relief.

The hospital's state-of-the-art medical facilities include a hydrotherapy pond with high-pressure water jets for arthritis treatment, a hyperbaric oxygen chamber for wound healing, and a dedicated foot care facility with pedicure specialists. A hydraulically operated surgical platform and specialised lifting equipment ensure stress-free medical procedures, while the longest-ever customised endoscope allows for advanced internal diagnostics.

The centre also features one of the world's largest chain-free musth enclosures for the safe management of bulls during their musth period. Additionally, the hospital is designed to treat three elephant patients simultaneously, ensuring efficient and high-quality medical care.

Innovative elephant transport solutions

Vantara operates the largest fleet of elephant ambulances, comprising 75 custom-engineered vehicles equipped with hydraulic lifts, rubber mat flooring, water troughs, showers, and caretaker cabins. These features ensure a secure and stress-free journey for rescued elephants. Through these pioneering efforts, Vantara is setting new benchmarks in ethical elephant management, veterinary excellence, and lifelong care, as stated in the press release.

ANI