Jamnagar (Gujarat) [India], March 4: Demonstrating his love for animals, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently inaugurated and visited Vantara, an animal rescue, conservation, and rehabilitation centre in Gujarat’s Jamnagar district. The event was attended by Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani, his wife Nita Ambani, their son Anant Ambani, and daughter-in-law Radhika Merchant.
During his visit, PM Modi explored the centre’s facilities, interacting with various rehabilitated animals. He also visited the wildlife hospital at Vantara, which is equipped with advanced veterinary technology, including MRI, CT scans, and ICUs.
In a heartwarming moment, PM Modi played with and fed several animals, including Asiatic Lion cubs, a White Lion cub, Clouded Leopard cubs—an endangered species—Caracal cubs, and more. One of the White Lion cubs had been born at the centre after its mother was rescued and brought there for care.
The Caracals, once abundant in India, are now a rare sight, and Vantara runs a breeding program to preserve the species, with plans to release them into the wild. PM Modi also visited the MRI room where an Asiatic Lion was undergoing an MRI scan, and the Operation Theatre, where a Leopard was receiving life-saving surgery after being hit by a car.
The centre’s conservation efforts include focusing on endangered species like Asiatic Lions, Snow Leopards, and One-Horned Rhinoceroses. PM Modi interacted with a variety of rescued animals, including Golden Tigers, Snow Tigers, Orangutans, Chimpanzees, and a Hippopotamus. He also fed a Giraffe and a Rhino calf, both of which had been rescued.
PM Modi further observed unique species like a two-headed snake, two-headed Turtle, Tapir, Giant otters, and more. He saw elephants in their hydrotherapy pools, which help improve their mobility and aid in recovery from arthritis and foot problems. The centre’s elephant hospital is the largest of its kind in the world.
Additionally, PM Modi released rescued parrots and engaged with the doctors and staff at the centre who manage the animals and facilities.
Earlier, on World Wildlife Day, PM Modi took a lion safari at the Gir National Park in Gujarat. He also expressed his commitment to preserving the planet’s biodiversity, saying, “Today, on World Wildlife Day, let’s reiterate our commitment to protect and preserve the incredible biodiversity of our planet. Every species plays a vital role—let’s safeguard their future for generations to come!”