PM Modi Inaugurates Vantara Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Centre in Gujarat

Gandhinagar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and visited Vantara, a state-of-the-art wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and conservation centre in Gujarat, housing over 1.5 lakh rescued animals from more than 2,000 species.

During his visit, the Prime Minister explored various facilities, interacting closely with rehabilitated animals and witnessing the advanced veterinary care provided at the wildlife hospital. The hospital, equipped with MRI, CT scans, ICUs, and specialized medical departments, offers anesthesia, cardiology, nephrology, endoscopy, dentistry, and internal medicine for rescued animals.

PM Modi engaged with Asiatic Lion cubs, a White Lion cub, a rare Clouded Leopard cub, and Caracal cubs, feeding and playing with them. The White Lion cub he fed was born at Vantara after its mother was rescued. Caracals, once abundant in India but now critically endangered, are being bred at the facility before their release into the wild.

At the MRI room, the Prime Minister observed an Asiatic Lion undergoing an MRI scan, and later visited the Operation Theatre, where a Leopard was undergoing life-saving surgery after being hit by a vehicle. The centre’s rescue enclosures mimic natural habitats, and it has dedicated conservation programs for species like the Asiatic Lion, Snow Leopard, and One-Horned Rhinoceros.

In a rare moment, PM Modi had close interactions with ferocious animals, including a Golden Tiger, four rescued Snow Tigers from a circus, a White Lion, and a Snow Leopard. He also patted an Okapi, encountered Chimpanzees rescued from captivity, and hugged Orangutans who had been kept in overcrowded facilities. He walked among Zebras, fed a Giraffe and an orphaned Rhino calf, and observed aquatic species like Seals, Crocodiles, and a submerged Hippopotamus.

Among other unique creatures, he saw a large Python, a rare two-headed snake and turtle, a Tapir, a rescued Bongo Antelope, and Giant Otters. PM Modi also witnessed elephants enjoying their hydrotherapy jacuzzi, a treatment that aids mobility in elephants suffering from arthritis and foot problems. The elephant hospital at Vantara, the largest in the world, was another key highlight of his visit.

Before concluding his tour, the Prime Minister released rescued parrots back into the wild, symbolizing the centre’s success in wildlife rehabilitation. He also interacted with doctors, supporting staff, and workers managing the facilities, commending their dedication to wildlife conservation.