Overview

• Acting on petitions from non-profits and wildlife groups, the court called for an independent factual appraisal of complaints about Vantara’s operations.
• The inquiry, led by a former Supreme Court judge, will examine allegations including unlawful acquisition of wildlife, creation of a private collection, animal welfare concerns, and possible money laundering.
• The Central Zoo Authority estimates the facility holds about 200 elephants, 50 bears, 160 tigers, 200 lions, 250 leopards, and 900 crocodiles.
• Investigative reporting by Süddeutsche Zeitung and partners cited import records suggesting roughly 39,000 animals acquired, raising questions about sourcing from countries associated with trafficking.
• Vantara denies wrongdoing, pledges full cooperation with investigators, and highlights its mission as rescue, rehabilitation, and care, a site previously praised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.