CITES Recognizes India's Vantara for Exceptional Wildlife Care and Global Compliance

CITES Commends India's Vantara for Wildlife Care Excellence

In a remarkable acknowledgment of India's conservation efforts, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) has lauded Vantara, India's pioneering wildlife protection and conservation initiative. This recognition highlights Vantara's exceptional standards of care, unwavering compliance with global wildlife trade norms, and a deep commitment to the ethical treatment of endangered species.

In September, following an official visit by the CITES Secretariat to India, findings were compiled in a comprehensive report presented at the 79th CITES Standing Committee meeting in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The report underscores India's rigorous framework for wildlife protection and praises Vantara for its exemplary veterinary infrastructure, ethical practices, and conservation-oriented management.

Setting Global Standards for Wildlife Protection

The CITES report notes that both the Greens Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre (GZRRC) and the Radha Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust (RKTEWT) operate under exceptionally high standards, equipped with well-designed enclosures and extensive veterinary care. The Secretariat's team found that Vantara's facilities, spread across multiple conservation zones and care units, fully comply with Article III of the convention, which regulates the care and trade of species listed in Annex I. Importantly, the report confirms that no illegal imports or commercial breeding activities were identified in facilities managed by Vantara.

Recognition of Ethical and Legal Leadership in India

The CITES mission also commended the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972, amended in 2022, as fully aligned with international obligations. The report classifies India under Category 1 for national legal frameworks within the CITES project, which represents the highest compliance level achieved by only a few countries globally. The Secretariat reaffirmed India's impeccable record in wildlife trade regulation compliance: "No evidence was found that animals were imported into India without proper CITES export or import permits, or that the imports were primarily for commercial purposes." This statement serves as a categorical endorsement of India's transparent and law-abiding conservation framework, underlining the integrity of facilities like Vantara that operate within it.

Forwarding Science and Compassion

The CITES report acknowledges not just regulatory compliance but also the scientific and humane aspects of Vantara's animal care model. Both GZRRC and RKTEWT were recognized for their "significant achievements in the medical treatment and care of animals," and the Secretariat called for sharing these insights and innovations with the global scientific community to elevate animal welfare standards worldwide. Vantara's facilities blend modern science with compassionate care, offering rescued and rehabilitated animals expansive, naturalistic habitats, advanced medical care, and enrichment programs that prioritize mental and physical well-being.

Both centers reaffirm their philosophy that animal protection comes first, making clear that "the sale of animals or their offspring has never been intended and will not be pursued in the future."

Institutional Recognition and Breeding Success

The Greens Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre (GZRRC), formally recognized by Indian authorities, was approved by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) in 2019, which was reaffirmed in 2023 and 2025, reflecting ongoing compliance with national standards. Meanwhile, the Radha Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust (RKTEWT) received its official zoo recognition from the CZA in July 2025. Together, the two Vantara facilities host over 47,000 animals across thousands of species and maintain approved breeding programs for 42 species, including 26 indigenous and 16 exotic species. Noteworthy successes include the breeding of the Asiatic lion, an endemic species in India, and the Spix's macaw, one of the rarest birds in the world, symbolizing hopes for global biodiversity recovery.

A Model for the World

The CITES recommendation marks a milestone in India's conservation journey, reflecting not only adherence to international law but also an evolving national ethos of empathy and ecological responsibility. Vantara's efforts embody the convergence of tradition and technology, where modern veterinary science, ethical leadership, and spiritual commitment intersect to redefine responsible wildlife care in the 21st century. As CITES recognized, India's approach exemplified by Vantara sets a global standard for humane conservation that serves as a model for the world in protecting our common natural heritage.