The decision, taken during the 20th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP20) in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, effectively closes months of speculation and validates Vantara – the ambitious 3,000-acre animal rescue and rehabilitation initiative by Reliance Industries and Reliance Foundation – as a fully compliant, ethical, and world-class conservation facility.
UN-linked CITES Secretariat Praises Vantara’s Standards
A two-day on-site mission by the CITES Secretariat in September 2025 inspected every aspect of Vantara’s operations – enclosures, veterinary hospitals, record-keeping, rescue protocols, and animal welfare systems.
In its official report submitted on 30 September 2025, the Secretariat described Vantara as:
- A “world-class, welfare-driven institution” with modern infrastructure and advanced veterinary care
- Operating strictly for rescue, rehabilitation, and conservation – with zero involvement in commercial trade of animals
- Demonstrating full transparency and cooperation throughout the inspection
The report highlighted Vantara’s robust rescue and rehabilitation systems, state-of-the-art facilities, and alignment with global best practices.
Overwhelming Global Support at CITES
During Sunday’s Standing Committee discussions, an overwhelming majority of CITES member nations backed India’s position, rejecting calls for any punitive action. The decision is being seen as a strong international vote of confidence in both India’s implementation of CITES regulations and Vantara’s operational integrity.
Supreme Court-appointed SIT Had Already Cleared All Allegations
The CITES outcome mirrors the findings of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) appointed by the Supreme Court of India earlier this year. After exhaustive scrutiny covering legal, financial, welfare, and CITES compliance aspects, the SIT concluded:
- All allegations against Vantara were “unfounded, baseless, and devoid of any factual or legal foundation”
- Every animal was legally acquired with valid import permits for non-commercial rescue purposes
- No evidence of wildlife smuggling, money laundering, or financial irregularities
- Invoicing references were routine customs valuation documents
- Vantara exceeds Central Zoo Authority (CZA) standards and holds Global Humane Certified™ status
The SIT confirmed that Vantara functions as a genuine rescue and conservation centre, not a private collection.
A Defining Moment for Ethical Wildlife Conservation in India
Speaking on the twin clearances – from CITES and the Supreme Court of India – a Vantara spokesperson said:
“These independent, rigorous reviews by international and national authorities place on record what we have maintained from day one: Vantara operates with complete legality, transparency, and an unwavering commitment to animal welfare and conservation science.”
With over 2,000 rescued animals (including elephants, big cats, reptiles, and birds) from across the world already under its care, Vantara is now widely regarded as one of the largest and most ethically governed rescue and rehabilitation centres globally.
The twin endorsements from the United Nations-linked CITES body and India’s highest court have silenced critics and cemented Vantara’s position as a global benchmark in compassionate, compliant, and cutting-edge wildlife conservation.
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