CITES Honors Vantara for Outstanding Wildlife Conservation Standards and Practices

CITES Recognizes Vantara for Exceptional Wildlife Care

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) has praised the Indian initiative Vantara for its outstanding approach to wildlife care and strict compliance with international standards. This recognition comes as a significant acknowledgment of India's conservation efforts following an official CITES mission to India in September of this year.

During the recent seventieth meeting of the CITES Standing Committee held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, a detailed report highlighted India's robust wildlife protection framework and commended Vantara for its exemplary veterinary infrastructure, ethical practices, and conservation-oriented management.

Global Reference for Wildlife Welfare

According to the CITES Secretariats report, both the Greens Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre (GZRRC) and the Radha Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust (RKTEWT) operate at exceptionally high standards, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities that include well-designed enclosures and comprehensive veterinary care. The report confirms that Vantara's facilities comply fully with Article III of the convention, which governs the care and trade of species listed in Appendix I of the treaty. Importantly, it indicated that no illegal imports or commercial breeding activities were detected at the centers managed by Vantara.

Recognizing Ethical and Legal Leadership

The CITES mission also applauded India's Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, as amended in 2022, which aligns fully with international obligations. The report categorizes India as a Category 1 country under the CITES National Legislation Project, reflecting the highest level of compliance achieved by only a few nations worldwide. Notably, the Secretariat reported no evidence of animal imports into India without proper export or import permits, reinforcing India's commitment to a transparent and law-abiding conservation framework.

Advancing Science and Compassion

Beyond regulatory compliance, the CITES report highlights the scientific and humane excellence of Vantara's animal care model. The GZRRC and RKTEWT have garnered recognition for their significant successes in medical care and treatment for animals. The Secretariat encouraged knowledge sharing and innovations developed at these facilities, advocating for global improvements in animal welfare standards.

Vantara integrates modern science with compassionate care, providing rescued and rehabilitated animals with expansive and naturalistic habitats, advanced medical care, and enrichment programs that prioritize psychological and physical well-being. Both centers reinforced that the sale of animals or their offspring has never been contemplated and will not be pursued in the future.

Institutional Recognition and Breeding Achievements

Officially recognized by Indian authorities, the GZRRC received approval from the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) in 2019 and has since been revalidated in 2023 and 2025, demonstrating ongoing compliance with Indian national standards. Similarly, the RKTEWT earned its official zoo recognition from the CZA in July 2025. Together, these facilities house over 47,000 animals across thousands of species and maintain approved breeding programs for 42 species, including 26 indigenous and 16 non-indigenous. Notable achievements include the breeding of the Asiatic lion, a species endemic to India, and the Spix's macaw, one of the world's rarest birds, symbolizing hope for global biodiversity restoration.

A Model for the World

CITES' commendation marks a pivotal moment in India's conservation journey, reflecting not just adherence to international law but also an evolution in national ethics towards empathy and ecological responsibility. Vantara exemplifies a convergence of tradition and technology, where modern veterinary science, ethical governance, and spiritual commitment intersect to redefine what responsible wildlife care means in the 21st century.

The CITES recognition of India's approach, as illustrated by Vantara, sets a global benchmark for humane conservation practices—providing a model that the world can follow in safeguarding our shared natural heritage.