Gujarat: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has officially inaugurated the Vantara Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Centre in Gujarat, home to over 1.5 lakh rescued animals. The facility, dedicated to the protection and rehabilitation of wildlife, features advanced veterinary services and plays a crucial role in animal conservation efforts across the country.
During his visit, PM Modi toured the centre's state-of-the-art veterinary facilities, where he observed medical procedures witnessed surgeries, and participated in conservation efforts. The Prime Minister also interacted with several rare species housed at the centre, including lions, tigers, giraffes, elephants, and parrots.
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In a video shared on the official YouTube handle of PM Modi, he could be seen playing with and feeding various species including Asiatic Lion cubs, White Lion cub, Clouded Leopard cub which is a rare and endangered species, Caracal cub among others.
Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani, his wife Nita Ambani, their son Anant Ambani and daughter-in-law Radhika Merchant were also present at the inauguration.
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.
The Caracals which were once in abundance in India are now becoming a rare sight. In Vantara, Caracals are bred under a breeding program in captivity for their preservations and are released into 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 Asiatic Lion, Snow Leopard, One-Horned Rhinoceros, among others.
PM Modi also sat face to face with a Golden Tiger, 4 Snow Tigers who were brothers and were rescued from a circus where they were made to perform tricks, a White Lion and a Snow Leopard.
PM patted an Okapi, came face to face with Chimpanzees in teh open who were rescued from a facility where they were kept as pets, hugged and lovingly played with Orangutan who were earlier kept in an over crowded facility, saw up close a Hippopotamus which was under water, saw crocodiles, undertook a walk in between Zebras, fed a Giraffe and a Rhino calf. The one-horned rhino calf 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, Giant otter, Bongo (antelope), Seals. He saw elephants in their jacuzzi.
The hydrotherapy pools support 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. PM Modi also interacted with doctors, supporting staff and workers who are managing various facilities at the Centre.
Exhibiting his love for wildlife, Prime Minister Modi earlier took a lion safari at the Gir National Park in Gujarat on Monday on the occasion of World Wildlife Day.
Agencies
Published: 04 Mar 2025, 11:04 am IST
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