Photos: PM Modi inaugurates wildlife rescue and conservation centre Vantara in Gujarat

PM Modi playing with orangutan babies during his visit to the wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and conservation centre, Vantara.

India Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with a white tiger during his visit to the wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and conservation centre, Vantara, in Jamnagar on Tuesday.

The centre is home to more than 2,000 species and over 1.5 lakh rescued, endangered, and threatened animals from across the world. A video shared by the company Tuesday, showed PM Modi feeding lion cubs, an okapi, giraffes, fish, elephants and other species

PM Modi with a tiger.

Anant Ambani accompanied PM Modi during the tour.

The Central government recently conferred Vantara with the prestigious ‘Prani Mitra’ National Award, India’s highest honour in animal welfare, under the ‘Corporate’ category. This award recognizes the “exceptional” contributions of the Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust (RKTEWT), an organization under Vantara dedicated to the rescue, treatment, and care of elephants.

PM Modi feeds a giraffe while visiting the wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and conservation centre, Vantara, in Jamnagar on Tuesday.

During his visit, PM Modi explored various sections of the facility, witnessing its conservation initiatives firsthand.

PM Modi holds a snake during his visit to the wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and conservation centre, Vantara, in Jamnagar.

Vantara’s elephant hospital, the largest of its kind in the world, features hydrotherapy pools and jacuzzis designed to treat elephants suffering from arthritis and foot ailments.

PM Modi had the opportunity to interact with various rescued animals, including Asiatic Lion cubs, a White Lion cub, a rare Clouded Leopard cub, and Caracals—a species once abundant in India but rarely seen in the wild.

For nature enthusiasts and conservationists, Vantara offers a unique opportunity to witness wildlife rehabilitation firsthand and gain insight into India’s efforts to safeguard its natural heritage.

PM Modi was accompanied by Reliance Industries chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani and his wife Nita Ambani and Anant Ambani.