New Delhi, [India] November 3: The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Secretariat has lauded Vantara in Jamnagar for maintaining exceptional standards in animal care, management, and veterinary practices, following its recent mission to India.
In a report submitted to its Standing Committee, CITES noted that Vantara’s facilities exhibit advanced veterinary systems, scientifically designed habitats, modern medical infrastructure, and efficient professional oversight. These findings underscore India’s growing reputation for wildlife protection and ethical conservation practices.
CITES — a global intergovernmental accord ensuring that trade in wild fauna and flora does not endanger species — observed that India’s policies and wildlife governance mechanisms align closely with its international commitments. The upcoming 79th meeting of the CITES Standing Committee in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, will formally review the report.
The Secretariat praised both the Greens Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre (GZRRC) and the Radha Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust (RKTEWT), located within the Vantara complex, for operating at par with global benchmarks. The report highlighted that both institutions maintain outstanding welfare conditions, sophisticated veterinary facilities, and are managed by professionals adhering to scientific best practices.
CITES emphasised that the centres have introduced innovative veterinary procedures and achieved notable breakthroughs in animal healthcare, which have been shared with the global scientific community, making their work internationally relevant.
> “Both the GZRRC and the RKTEWT operate in accordance with exceptionally high standards and have advanced facilities, including in terms of enclosures and veterinary care. The Secretariat has no reason to doubt that these facilities are suitably equipped to house and care for the animals, as required under Article III of the Convention in case of animals of Appendix I-listed species,” the report said.
According to the findings, breeding programmes for 26 native and 16 non-native species have been approved by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA). The successful breeding of Asiatic lions and ongoing rearing of Spix macaws signify measurable progress in conservation-driven initiatives.
> “One breeding programme of native species (Asiatic lions Panthera leo, App. II) and one of non-native species (Spix macaws Cyanopsitta spixii, App. I) have started. During the site visit, representatives of the GZRRC further indicated that the lions have bred successfully, but the Spix macaws have not yet, as they are still too young to reproduce,” CITES said in the report.
The Secretariat appreciated India’s transparency, organisation, and technical cooperation during the mission, calling it a reflection of the nation’s constructive engagement with international environmental mechanisms.
CITES also recognised India’s Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (as amended in 2022) for meeting its core compliance criteria. The legislation has been placed in Category 1 under the CITES National Legislation Project — a classification reserved for countries whose environmental laws fully meet the Convention’s standards.
The report reaffirmed that both GZRRC and RKTEWT are non-commercial facilities dedicated solely to rescue, rehabilitation, and conservation breeding, with no evidence of animal trade or sale of offspring.
> “During the mission, the Secretariat did not find evidence of commercial activities linked to the sale of animals or their offspring by either the GZRRC or the RKTEWT. It was also explicitly emphasized to the Secretariat by the owner and representatives of these facilities that the sale of animals or their offspring has never been intended, and neither will it be pursued in the future,” the report said.
The Secretariat further confirmed that all animal imports complied fully with CITES permitting procedures and Indian laws, with no indication of unauthorised or commercial import activities.
> “At present, there is no evidence of animals being imported to India without the CITES export permits or re-export certificates, and, when required, import permits, or commercial activities linked to the sale of animals or their offspring by either the GZRRC or the RKTEWT,” the Secretariat concluded.
The Greens Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre (GZRRC) has been recognised by the CZA as a zoo, rescue, and breeding centre since 2019, with renewals granted in 2023 and again in 2025 following independent evaluations.
> “The Greens Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre (GZRRC) is registered as a society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860… Recognition was renewed until 2027. Another mid-term evaluation took place in May 2025,” CITES quoted.
The Radha Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust (RKTEWT), a registered public charitable trust under the Gujarat Public Trust Act, 1951, operates a specialised elephant welfare facility and was granted zoo recognition by the CZA in July 2025. Both are housed within the Vantara campus in Jamnagar.
Data presented by the CZA during the mission revealed that as of September 2025, GZRRC cares for 41,839 animals spanning 3,860 Indian and 80,962 non-native species, while RKTEWT houses 5,794 animals.
Vantara’s broader mission also includes charitable work, public education, and a planned zoo, which will focus on rewilding and releasing species back into natural habitats — a holistic vision integrating welfare, conservation, and ecological restoration.
Concluding its report, the CITES Secretariat commended both India’s regulatory authorities and Vantara’s management for their commitment to continuous improvement and adherence to global best practices, ensuring the ethical treatment and conservation of wildlife in line with international norms.
