India has appealed to a UN wildlife trade organization to avoid limiting its imports of endangered species, asserting that it has enhanced oversight following rising claims of irregular animal shipments to a large private zoo operated by Asia’s wealthiest family.
Vantara, a 3,500-acre zoo in Gujarat managed by the philanthropic division of a conglomerate led by billionaire Mukesh Ambani and his family, has been accused of improper animal imports, leading to increased scrutiny from authorities in Germany and the European Union, according to Reuters.
Indian investigators appointed by the Supreme Court to probe allegations from non-profit and wildlife groups exonerated the sanctuary in September, and Vantara stated it adheres to all regulations.
However, after visiting the facility in September, the Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) released a report last week urging India to reassess its procedures.
The report highlighted inconsistencies between exporter and importer trade data and pointed out insufficient checks on the origins of some animals.
In a submission to CITES dated November 10, India argued that any restrictive measure at this time would be legally unfounded and could destabilize the CITES framework, describing the measure as “premature and disproportionate.”
The wildlife body’s request “would effectively pause or impose a moratorium on lawful” imports, the government stated.
The Indian submission, published on the CITES website before its convention meeting this month, is first reported by Reuters. It indicates ongoing disputes over Vantara’s imports.
India Asserts Enhanced Oversight
CITES is a global treaty regulating trade in endangered plants and animals, or products derived from them, to ensure their survival.
Although CITES acknowledged last week that Vantara maintains facilities of “exceptionally high standards,” it recommended that India suspend new import permits for endangered species until protections are reinforced. The organization warned that without more stringent checks, wild-sourced animals could be misrepresented as captive-bred.
India responded that it “has strengthened inspection and reporting processes for all recognized zoos and rescue facilities,” including Vantara. The government also directed the Central Zoo Authority to ensure enhanced due diligence for all future acquisitions.
CITES and Vantara did not reply to a Reuters request for comment on the Indian government’s submission on Wednesday.
Global Animal Collection
Vantara claims to host about 2,000 species, including imported exotic species from South Africa, Venezuela, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, such as snakes, tortoises, tigers, cheetahs, giraffes, and chimpanzees.
The shipments were reported with a declared value of $9 million, which Vantara stated reflected freight and insurance costs, not payments for wildlife.
The CITES report last week noted that “many animals originate from established commercial breeding facilities, which typically sell the animals they breed.”
India has mounted a defense, stating that the Supreme Court panel’s findings confirmed imports were conducted in compliance with regulations.
