India’s Supreme Court has launched a probe into Anant Ambani’s giant private zoo Vantara over allegations of illegal animal imports and financial irregularities.
Touted as the world’s largest “wild animal rescue center,” the Gujarat-based project houses an extraordinary collection — nearly 200 elephants, 160 lions, 200 Bengal tigers, 250 leopards, 50 bears, and almost 900 crocodiles
Wildlife activists call it a cruel spectacle, claiming thousands of endangered animals are trapped in scorching dry lands near an oil refinery, with no plan to return them to the wild.
The top court has now set up a retired-judges’ panel to investigate how the animals, especially elephants, were acquired, whether laws were broken, and if money laundering is involved.
Once hailed as a “world-class wildlife project” after Ambani’s lavish wedding, Vantara is now facing its toughest legal test.