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Originally published by Citizen DigitalNovember 9, 2025
5h ago
India mega-zoo in spotlight again over animal acquisitions
It has scooped up tens of thousands of animals in recent years, and was subject to an Indian Supreme Court review that cleared it of any wrongdoing...
✨ Key Highlights
Leading wildlife protection experts have urged India to halt all imports of endangered species, following concerns about mass acquisitions by the Vantara mega-zoo. A report from the CITES secretariat found many imports by the facility, run by the son of Asia's richest man, appear inconsistent with international rules.
- The Vantara mega-zoo, officially the Green Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre, has allegedly acquired tens of thousands of animals.
- The CITES secretariat report indicated "a large number of imports... appear to be inconsistent" with protections for Appendix I species.
- The report questioned acquisitions of endangered animals including a Tapanuli orangutan from Indonesia, cheetahs from Syria, a gorilla from Haiti, and bonobos from Iraq.
- Approximately 2,000 Appendix I animals and nearly 9,000 less endangered species have reportedly been acquired by Vantara.
- CITES has asked India to report on its progress, with potential measures including trade suspension.
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