Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Vantara Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre in Jamnagar on Sunday during his three-day visit to Gujarat.
Vantara is home to over 1.5 lakh rescued, endangered, and threatened animals, representing more than 2,000 species. During his visit, Prime Minister Modi closely interacted with various rehabilitated animals.
He also toured the wildlife hospital at Vantara, which is equipped with advanced facilities, including MRI, CT scans, ICUs, and specialized departments such as Wildlife Anesthesia, Cardiology, Nephrology, Endoscopy, Dentistry, and Internal Medicine.
At the hospital, the PM observed an Asiatic lion undergoing an MRI scan and visited the Operation Theatre, where a leopard was receiving lifesaving surgery after being rescued from a highway accident.
Prime Minister Modi was seen feeding and playing with various animals, including Asiatic lion cubs and white lion cubs. The white lion cub he fed was born at the center after its mother was rescued and brought to Vantara for care. In a heartwarming moment, he was also spotted sharing a high-five with a lion. Watch here.
Vantara is home to several endangered species, including clouded leopard cubs and caracals. Under a dedicated breeding program, caracals are nurtured for conservation and later released into the wild.
The rescued animals at Vantara are housed in environments that closely resemble their natural habitats. The center runs key conservation programs for species like the Asiatic lion, snow leopard, and one-horned rhinoceros, among others.
During his visit, Prime Minister Modi had a face-to-face encounter with a rare golden tiger and four snow tigers—rescued brothers previously forced to perform in a circus.
In heartwarming interactions, he patted an okapi, hugged and played affectionately with an orangutan, and strolled among grazing zebras. He also fed a giraffe and a rhino calf, which was orphaned after its mother passed away at the facility.
PM Modi observed a variety of rescued animals, including a large python, a unique two-headed snake and turtle, a tapir, and leopard cubs found abandoned in an agricultural field before being rescued by villagers. He also visited elephants lounging in their jacuzzi, part of a hydrotherapy program that aids in the recovery of elephants suffering from arthritis and foot issues, enhancing their mobility.
At the world’s largest elephant hospital, he witnessed its operations firsthand. He also took part in releasing rescued parrots back into the wild and engaged with the doctors, staff, and workers dedicated to the center’s mission.
