India’s massive Vantara zoo, managed by the son of Asia’s richest man, is under renewed scrutiny over its animal acquisitions. Reports suggest the facility has imported over 2,000 of the world’s most endangered species, raising alarms among conservationists and global wildlife experts.
The Green Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre in Gujarat has reportedly taken in tens of thousands of animals in recent years. While India’s Supreme Court previously cleared the zoo of wrongdoing, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) has raised concerns about potential violations of international rules for highly endangered “Appendix I” species.
CITES experts highlighted discrepancies in animal numbers and questioned the sourcing of rare species like the Tapanuli orangutan, cheetahs from Syria, gorillas from Haiti, and bonobos from Iraq. Many of these animals were labeled as “captive-bred,” though experts note no such breeding programs exist in their native countries.
Wildlife groups are urging India to suspend further imports and tighten oversight to prevent the zoo from inadvertently fueling illegal wildlife trade. The report also recommended reforms to ensure proper permit scrutiny and better tracking of imported species.
While Vantara boasts world-class facilities, experts warn that ignoring these concerns could harm India’s conservation credibility. Authorities have been asked to provide updates on corrective measures, with potential trade restrictions if issues persist.
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