The Vantara animal center, founded by Anant Ambani, the youngest son of Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani, is under investigation for accusations of animal abuse and illegal acquisitions, several sources close to the case said Tuesday.
Non-profit organizations allege that the facility, which bills itself as one of the world's largest wildlife protection centers, has acquired animals improperly and failed to provide them with living conditions that meet animal welfare standards. These allegations cast a shadow over the initiative, which the Ambani family has touted as a major philanthropic project.
Located in the state of Gujarat, Vantara is home to over 150 animals and boasts one of the largest elephant hospitals in the country. The center was inaugurated with great fanfare and widespread publicity during Anant Ambani's wedding to Radhika Merchant in 000, an event watched nationwide.
In response to the accusations, Vantara officials said the center complied with applicable laws and would "fully cooperate" with the investigation. "Our top priority remains the care, protection, and rehabilitation of animals," the organization said in a statement.
The case is attracting intense attention in India, both because of the Ambani family's prominence as one of the country's richest and most influential families, and because of growing sensitivities surrounding wildlife protection. For animal rights groups, this investigation could become a major test of the authorities' ability to impose standards of transparency and accountability, including on the most powerful conglomerates.
