CITES Report Puts Vantara Mega‑Zoo Under Fresh Scrutiny Over Mass Imports of Endangered Species

Leading conservation experts and CITES officials are urging India to halt imports of the world's most endangered species after raising serious concerns about mass animal acquisitions by the Vantara mega‑zoo in Gujarat. The Green Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre — commonly referred to as Vantara and run by the son of Asia's richest man — has amassed tens of thousands of animals in recent years, prompting international scrutiny.

Background and scale

Vantara claims it houses roughly 150,000 animals, but a September visit by delegates from the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) secretariat found reported figures closer to 47,000. The facility was reviewed by India's Supreme Court and cleared of legal wrongdoing, yet CITES officials say a substantial number of imports appear inconsistent with the rules that protect the most threatened species.

What CITES found

In a report released ahead of recent CITES meetings, the secretariat said a "large number of imports... appear to be inconsistent" with protections for Appendix I species — the category reserved for the planet's most imperilled animals. The document notes more than 2,000 Appendix I individuals among Vantara's acquisitions and nearly 9,000 additional animals from less threatened categories.

Questioned cases

CITES and independent experts highlighted several disputed transfers, including:

- A Tapanuli orangutan traced to Indonesia after transiting via the United Arab Emirates; paperwork listed the animal as "captive‑bred," a designation several experts say is implausible given no verified captive‑breeding programmes for that species in Indonesia.

- Cheetahs reportedly imported from Syria, a gorilla from Haiti, and bonobos that arrived from Iraq — cases that have raised red flags about origin, documentation and the risk of illegal removal from the wild.

Responses and concerns

Vantara and India's environment ministry did not respond to AFP requests for comment. Conservationists have repeatedly questioned the facility's intake practices. "This report raises more questions than it answers," said Mark Jones, head of policy at wildlife charity Born Free, citing discrepancies in reported numbers and concerns about supply chains and potential profit motives.

Panut Hadisiswoyo, founder of the Orangutan Information Centre, called the findings "evidence of Vantara's problematic acquisitions" and said he has lobbied for the return of several orangutans, including one intercepted as part of an alleged smuggling incident.

CITES recommendations and possible consequences

While acknowledging Vantara's advanced facilities, the CITES secretariat recommended that India strengthen import procedures, improve permit scrutiny and boost enforcement capacity to ensure the centre does not "inadvertently become a driver of illegal harvest of wild animals." CITES has asked India to report on corrective steps and warned New Delhi could face measures — including suspension of trade — if concerns are not fully addressed.

Outlook

The report has prompted calls for "exemplary action" to restore India's conservation credibility. Independent wildlife‑trade expert Daniel Stiles described the review as "a true examination" of Vantara's records; whether reforms follow remains to be seen.

Reporting by AFP; additional commentary from conservation experts and CITES secretariat findings were incorporated.