Anant Ambani, the youngest son of Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani, was conferred the prestigious Global Humanitarian Award for Animal Welfare by the Global Humane Society (GHS) on Monday, becoming the first Asian and the youngest-ever recipient of the 148-year-old American Humane honour.
The award recognises Ambani’s pioneering work through Vantara, the 3,000-acre wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and conservation centre he founded inside the Reliance Refinery complex at Jamnagar, Gujarat. Launched in February 2025, Vantara has already rescued and treated over 2,500 animals—including elephants, big cats, reptiles, and exotic birds—many of them victims of circuses, illegal trade, or natural disasters across India and abroad.
Global Humane Society president and CEO Robin Ganzert praised the project as “one of the most extraordinary commitments to animal welfare anywhere in the world,” describing Vantara as “more than a rescue centre—it is a sanctuary of healing” that has “redefined what is possible in large-scale species preservation.” The state-of-the-art facility features specialised hospitals, climate-controlled enclosures, and a 200-strong team of veterinarians and carers.
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Accepting the honour, Anant Ambani said, “Animals teach us balance, humility, and trust. Through Vantara, our purpose is to give every life dignity, care, and hope, guided by the spirit of seva. Conservation is not for tomorrow; it is a shared dharma we must uphold today.”
Vantara has drawn international attention for high-profile rescues, including the rehabilitation of 200 circus elephants and the successful treatment of abused lions and tigers flown in from conflict zones and private menageries. The centre operates under the Reliance Foundation and is part of the family’s broader animal-welfare initiatives that also include Mumbai’s upcoming 250-acre urban zoo.
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