Gujarat: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and visited Vantara, a wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and conservation centre in Gujarat. Vantara is home to over 1.5 lakh rescued animals from more than 2,000 species, including endangered and rare wildlife.
During his visit, PM Modi explored various facilities at the centre and interacted closely with animals that have been rehabilitated there. He visited the wildlife hospital, which is equipped with MRI, CT scans, ICUs, and departments specializing in wildlife anesthesia, cardiology, nephrology, endoscopy, dentistry, and internal medicine.
At the centre, PM Modi played with and fed different species, including Asiatic Lion cubs, a White Lion cub, a Clouded Leopard cub, and a Caracal cub. The White Lion cub he fed was born at Vantara after its mother was rescued and cared for. The Caracals, once abundant in India, are now rare, and the centre is breeding them in captivity for conservation before releasing them into the wild.
PM Modi also visited the MRI room, where he observed an Asiatic Lion undergoing an MRI scan, and the Operation Theatre, where a Leopard was undergoing life-saving surgery after being rescued from a road accident.
Vantara provides rescued animals with natural habitat-like enclosures. The centre is actively involved in the conservation of species such as Asiatic Lions, Snow Leopards, and One-Horned Rhinoceroses.
During his visit, PM Modi had face-to-face interactions with several ferocious animals, including a Golden Tiger, four Snow Tigers rescued from a circus, a White Lion, and a Snow Leopard. He also interacted with a Chimpanzee rescued from illegal captivity, an Orangutan from an overcrowded facility, and a Hippopotamus underwater.
PM Modi also walked among Zebras, fed a Giraffe and a Rhino calf, and saw a variety of unique animals, including a large Python, a two-headed snake, a two-headed turtle, a Tapir, Bongo (antelope), Seals, a Giant Otter, and Leopard cubs rescued from an agricultural field.
He also visited the elephant hospital, the largest of its kind in the world, and saw elephants enjoying a jacuzzi and hydrotherapy pools that help them recover from arthritis and foot issues.
As a final gesture, PM Modi released rescued parrots back into the wild. He also took time to interact with doctors, staff, and workers managing the various facilities at Vantara, appreciating their efforts in wildlife conservation and rehabilitation.
