A Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the Supreme Court of India has cleared Vantara, a private zoo owned by the son of Asia’s richest man Mukesh Ambani of infractions in keeping rescued wildlife.
The panel held that the wildlife conservation initiative of Vantara was in compliance with provisions of Indian and international laws.
According to the Supreme Court on Monday, 15 September 2025, the outcomes followed the findings of the SIT which examined Vantara’s operations.
Speaking in the findings, the apex court recorded that the SIT worked in close coordination with the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) of India, Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, CITES Management Authority of India, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Enforcement Directorate, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Customs Department, and state police agencies to arrive at its outcome.
It stated that no violation of any provision of the country’s law was discovered after an exhaustive investigation.
The SIT’s conclusions which was accepted by the apex court established that Vantara did not breach the Wildlife (Protection) Act, Zoo Rules, CZA Guidelines, Customs Act, FEMA, PMLA, BNSS, or the CITES Convention.
It further confirmed that all wildlife rescued by the private zoo were undertaken with valid permits and subjected to multi-jurisdictional scrutiny.
The Court also noted that Vantara’s animal care facilities not only met, but in many respects, exceeded prescribed welfare and veterinary benchmarks.
This confirmed that multiple past inquiries and petitions against Vantara have also concluded with findings of no illegality to the private zoo.
Conservation programmes such as cheetah breeding, elephant rescue, and the reintroduction of the endangered Spix’s Macaw were highlighted as legitimate, science-based efforts by the Indian court.
