Supreme Court Investigation Clears Ambani's Vantara Zoo of Wrongdoing

Mon Sep 15 2025 19:30:22 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A special investigative team has found no foul play in the operations of Vantara, the private zoo owned by the Ambani family, following allegations of animal mistreatment and unlawful acquisition.

India's Supreme Court-appointed investigation team has cleared Vantara, a private zoo owned by billionaire Mukesh Ambani, of accusations related to illegal animal acquisition and mistreatment. The team's findings confirm that all actions concerning the zoo complied with existing laws. Vantara, covering 3,500 acres and housing 2,000 animal species, has faced criticism from conservationists but continues to be home to exotic wildlife.

Supreme Court Investigation Clears Ambani's Vantara Zoo of Wrongdoing

A special investigation team appointed by India's top court has determined that the acquisition of animals at Vantara—a private zoo owned by Mukesh Ambani's family—was lawful. The team, comprising retired judges, was established to investigate claims that animals at the zoo were acquired unlawfully and mistreated. The team concluded that there was no foul play in the management of Vantara.

The Supreme Court had previously indicated that allegations against the zoo appeared unsupported but ordered an inquiry due to concerns that authorities had not conducted a thorough investigation. The Reliance Foundation, which operates Vantara, has yet to publicly comment on this latest ruling.

Vantara is home to 2,000 species, including elephants and tigers, and spans 3,500 acres in Jamnagar, Gujarat, near Ambani's massive oil refinery. Inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March, the zoo was also one of the lavish venues for Anant Ambani's pre-wedding festivities last year. Despite its grandeur, Vantara has drawn substantial criticism from wildlife activists for its location and the climate's unsuitability for some Asian species.

Recently, the zoo faced protests after relocating an ailing elephant from a temple in Maharashtra, but an independent inquiry has now dismissed these concerns. On Tuesday, the court reaffirmed this position by rejecting an application against the elephant's transfer.