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“There does not appear to be enough support to retain the recommendation,” Naima Aziz, chair of the CITES Standing Committee, told delegates. According to the Independent report, he said that if further regulatory measures were needed then he could consider it.
The decision effectively reaffirms the legitimacy and transparency of Vantara, a Jamnagar-based wildlife rescue and conservation facility, establishing it as a “world-class” and fully compliant institution under CITES norms.
In a statement, the company said, “This result serves as a powerful validation of Vantara’s legitimate, transparent and science-driven model of wildlife care, confirming its compliance with global norms and standing as one of the world’s most ethically governed and professionally run wildlife conservation centres.”
Recognition followed a two-day assessment conducted by the CITES Secretariat in September 2025. The statement said the UN-affiliated body conducted a “detailed inspection of Vantara’s enclosures, veterinary systems, records, rescue operations and welfare protocols.”
In its report submitted on 30 September, the Secretariat concluded that Vantara is a “world-class, welfare-driven institution” with modern infrastructure, advanced veterinary care and strong rescue and rehabilitation systems, and has no involvement in the commercial wildlife trade. It also noted the facility’s cooperation and alignment with CITES processes.
With member states supporting India during Sunday’s Standing Committee discussion, the global community has effectively rejected the allegations raised by advocacy groups and sections of the media. Officials described the outcome as restoring “balance” to the narrative and confirming that Vantara operates on “the right side of protection, compliance and care.”
The international findings mirror those of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) appointed by India’s Supreme Court to investigate allegations ranging from illegal wildlife acquisition to financial irregularities. After extensive inspection, document audit and consultation with domestic and global authorities, the SIT described all the complaints as “baseless, baseless and devoid of any factual or legal basis”.
The investigation confirmed that all the animals in Vantara were legally imported with valid permits for non-commercial purposes. It found no evidence of wildlife trafficking, money laundering or financial misconduct and clarified that the invoices cited in media reports were standard customs documents for reference assessment.
According to the statement, the SIT also said, “Vantara not only fully complies with Central Zoo Authority regulations, but exceeds them, holds Global Humane Certified™ status, and operates not as a private collection but as a genuine, internationally benchmarked rescue, rehabilitation and conservation centre.”
Overall, national and international reviews give a unanimous conclusion: Vantara is legitimate, transparent and operating with a strong scientific and ethical basis.