Vantara’s Global Lifeline: Inspirational Rescue Operations from Mexico to Venezuela
Vantara is home to more than 2,000 species and over 1.5 lakh rescued, endangered, and threatened animals. The PM closely interacted with various species of animals which have been rehabilitated there.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Vantara animal rescue and rehabilitation centre in Jamnagar on Sunday. The Prime Minister was on a three-day trip to Gujarat.
Vantara is home to more than 2,000 species and over 1.5 lakh rescued, endangered, and threatened animals. The PM closely interacted with various species of animals which have been rehabilitated there. Let’s look at some of the inspiring international rescue operations carried out by Vantara.
Saving lives and offering new beginning for big cats
On Tuesday, May 16, 2023, a tragic event occurred in Slovakia when a man named Jozef, who owned 16 big cats, was fatally mauled by his animals. Jozef operated a small zoo in Kysucké Nové Mesto, Slovakia. When authorities arrived at the scene, two lions were unfortunately shot in an effort to protect the responding officers. With 14 big cats remaining—11 tigers and 3 lions—the fate of these animals was uncertain, and euthanasia seemed imminent. However, in a remarkable turn of events, the Greens Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre (GZRRC) in India stepped in, offering these majestic creatures a chance at life.
GZRRC, a sanctuary dedicated to the welfare of rescued animals, became aware of the situation and immediately took action. Recognizing the urgency of the matter, the team at GZRRC began discussions with both the Slovakian and Indian governments to secure the necessary approvals for relocating the surviving big cats to their sanctuary in India.
Obtaining permissions from two governments was no small feat, but the determination and persistence of GZRRC’s team paid off. After overcoming bureaucratic hurdles, they received the green light, and plans were put into motion to transport the big cats to their new home, where they could live safely and comfortably.
On August 27, 2023, the 14 big cats were successfully transferred from Slovakia to GZRRC in India—an incredible day for everyone involved.
This rescue not only spared the animals from a tragic fate but also marked the beginning of a new chapter in their lives. GZRRC, located in a sprawling sanctuary in Jamnagar, India, provides a safe and enriching environment where rescued animals can thrive. The sanctuary has been thoughtfully designed to meet the specific needs of each species, ensuring that the big cats can roam freely in lush, expansive surroundings while receiving the best possible care.
Renowned for its commitment to animal welfare and conservation, GZRRC boasts state-of-the-art facilities and a dedicated team of zookeepers and veterinary specialists. These professionals ensure that the lions and tigers receive proper medical care, a balanced diet, and enriching activities—key elements for their physical and mental well-being.
The rescued big cats are not merely survivors; they have become ambassadors for compassion, conservation, and the importance of protecting wildlife. Through its educational programs, GZRRC raises awareness about the challenges faced by such animals and emphasizes the role we all play in ensuring the survival and protection of the world’s wildlife.
The successful rescue of these 14 big cats stands as a powerful testament to the impact of compassion, collaboration, and perseverance. GZRRC’s unwavering dedication to animal welfare has not only saved lives but also given these magnificent creatures a second chance to thrive in a safe and respectful environment. Through this rescue, GZRRC has once again demonstrated the profound difference that passionate individuals and organizations can make in the lives of those who cannot speak for themselves.
International Rescue Operation in Mexico
In December 2020, a Mexican agency approached the Vantara team with a unique problem. They had received a large number of animals from zoos in Mexico and had housed them at their quarantine facilities after these animals became neglected due to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Vantara immediately stepped in, but did not know of the horror that unfolded in front of them. Many of the cats were housed in horrific conditions, were emaciated or ill. Some were so weak they could not even walk. Their neglect was ominous. The felines were eating each other; totally neglected and left to starve. Many were dehydrated from the lack of water. Many showed an utter unwillingness to live.
A team of Vantara swiftly acted upon it resulting in the felines receiving food and critical emergency attention. Eventually, with due permissions under national laws and the international conventions, more 100 large felines were rescued and housed in the state-of-the-art rescue facilities built at Vantara.“With proper care and nutrition, these animals have regained confidence, the will to live and survive, their brute strength and now show natural behaviors, including playing and swimming. They had been given a new lease on life in their new home at the rescue centers at Vantara,” it said.
International Rescue Operation: Venezuela
In November 2023, the Venezuelan National Foundation of Zoos, Breeding farms and Aquariums reached out to Vantara to help a group of birds and mammals that had been rescued and placed under the stewardship of the San Antonio de Abad Zoo in Caracas. The zoo and animals both were facing a crisis and needed urgent help. Actuated by the effects of the COVID 19 epidemic, an embargo on the importation of medicine and food left nearly 700 + animals including Giant Anteaters and Giant River Otters on the brink of starvation. With this situation triggered further by high inflation rates there was precious little option left with the zoo.
As a first response, Vantara dispatched their vets and staff with medicines and supplies to address the imminent health and needs of the animals. A few days later, the San Antonio de Abad Zoo requested them to take the animals under Vantara’s care. After due permissions under respective national laws and the international convention – CITES, 700 animals were shifted to Vantara and have since thrived in their majestic and curated enclosures.
Vantara houses them with the highest international standards and has also allowed Tapirs to swim in a pool, Giant Anteaters to eat a special insectile food and highland parrots to be kept in air-conditioned rooms where the climate replicates their paramo habitat, Vantara said in a statement.
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