Anant Ambani’s Passion Project Vantara Wins Prestigious National ‘Prani Mitra’ Award For Excellence In Animal Welfare
Jamnagar (gujarat) 27 fabruary 2025: anant Ambani’s Vantara has been awarded the ‘Prani Mitra’ National Award, India’s highest honour in animal welfare by the Government of India, in the ‘Corporate’ category. This recognition celebrates the exceptional work of the Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust (RKTEWT), a Vantara organisation dedicated to elephant rescue and care.
At the heart of this award is Vantara’s Elephant Care Centre, a haven for over 240 rescued elephants. The centre provides a safe and stimulating environment for rescued elephants. This includes 30 elephants from circuses, more than 100 from the logging industry, and others rescued from exploitative practices such as rides and street begging. Spanning 998 acres of specially designed forest, Vantara allows elephants to roam free, socialise, and enjoy natural behaviours like foraging and bathing. The elephants receive world-class veterinary treatment and compassionate care at Vantara.
The award was presented by the Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying at a ceremony in New Delhi.
Vivaan Karani, CEO of Vantara, expressed gratitude for the honour, emphasising Vantara’s deep commitment to animal welfare. He stated their mission to elevate welfare standards and safeguard India’s biodiversity. “This award is a tribute to the countless individuals who have devoted their lives to protecting and caring for India’s animals. At Vantara, serving animals is not just a duty – it is our dharma and seva, a commitment deeply rooted in compassion and responsibility. We remain relentless in our mission to elevate welfare standards, drive impactful initiatives, and safeguard India’s rich biodiversity for generations to come,” Karani said.
The ‘Prani Mitra’ Award in the Corporate category acknowledges corporations and organisations for their consistent contributions to animal welfare, including CSR funding for related initiatives.
Vantara’s Elephant Care Centre is equipped with the world’s largest elephant hospital, providing advanced veterinary care, including allopathy, Ayurveda, and acupuncture. The hospital features state-of-the-art facilities like a hydrotherapy pond, hyperbaric oxygen chamber, and specialised foot care. A hydraulic surgical platform and customised endoscope ensure efficient and stress-free procedures.
Vantara also operates a fleet of 75 custom-engineered elephant ambulances. These vehicles are equipped with hydraulic lifts, comfortable flooring, and other amenities to ensure safe and stress-free transportation for rescued elephants. Through these initiatives, Vantara sets new standards in ethical elephant management and veterinary excellence.
