Tanmoy wrote, ‘By Taxpayers’ Money, For A Capitalist, By The Modi. 18 Wild Elephants have been relocated from Assam and Arunachal Pradesh to Mukesh Ambani’s Private Zoo in Jamnagar, Gujarat, by the Govt of India and the Assam State Government. Why is the Indian Government prioritizing Mukesh Ambani’s Private Zoo?’
Bahar Dutt claimed, ‘33 elephants transferred to Vantara from Arunachal . Question is how come not even one private zoo has ever got permissions ? But this one has fast track clearances for everything including transporting animals over long distance ?’
Sayantani, Pradyut Bordoloi and Vinay Kumar also shared similar posts.
We began our fact-checking process by conducting a Google search on the topic. During this search, we came across a report by DNA India stating that Vantara is preparing to welcome 20 rescued elephants—10 males, 8 females, 1 sub-adult, and 1 calf—liberated from the exploitative logging industry in Arunachal Pradesh. This rescue operation was authorized by a high-powered committee constituted by the Tripura High Court and overseen by the Supreme Court. The operation was carried out with the full consent of the elephants’ current owners.
Vantara is a renowned rescue and rehabilitation center for captive elephants and other wildlife. The rescued elephants will soon be relocated to Vantara, where they will live in an environment that closely mirrors their natural habitat. At Vantara, they will live chain-free and will never again be subjected to labor. Among the rescued elephants is Laxmi, a 10-year-old sub-adult born in captivity. Laxmi suffers from severe injuries, including deep, untreated wounds that prevent her from bearing weight on her hind legs and a fresh, painful hole piercing her sensitive right ear—inflicted during the brutal taming process used to establish human dominance.
The report also noted that Vantara has secured all necessary documentation under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, including a No Objection Certificate from the Gujarat Forest Department and a Transport Permit from the Arunachal Pradesh Forest Department. The elephants will be transported in specially designed elephant ambulances, with the calf Maya traveling alongside her mother. A team of over 200 experts—including veterinarians, paravets, senior caretakers, and ambulance drivers from Vantara—will ensure the safe and compliant transportation of the elephants, adhering to strict animal welfare and transportation guidelines.
Additionally, a Money Control article published on January 20 shared insights from Chow Thamasala Mein, one of the elephants’ former owners, who praised the initiative, “With wood logging banned, we no longer wish to use our elephants for such labor. We are pleased they will now live a life of care at Vantara. This initiative also provides stable jobs and a steady income for our families, ensuring a brighter future for our children.”
Dr. Sorang Tadap, Veterinary Officer at Itanagar Biological Park, also commented on the critical need for such initiatives, “Captive elephants often endure severe health issues, including injuries, arthritis, and psychological trauma caused by harsh labor, training, and prolonged chaining. Many calves suffer deep leg injuries during training, while adults face constant threats from wild bull conflicts. Our state currently lacks dedicated hospital facilities with round-the-clock care and physiotherapy. It is encouraging to see facilities like Vantara providing advanced medical treatment and lifelong care for rescued elephants, setting an essential benchmark for their welfare.”
Moreover, a video shared on Vantara’s official Instagram account documented the elephants’ previous suffering, showing them chained and isolated, enduring both physical and mental trauma. The video also highlighted their remarkable journey to recovery under Vantara’s care, where they now live a peaceful and happy life.
| Claim | With the support of the Government of India and the Assam government, Ambani is taking over wild elephants. |
| Claimed by | Journalists and social media users |
| Conclusion | This claim is misleading. The relocation of the elephants was conducted under the supervision of a high-powered committee constituted by the Tripura High Court and overseen by the Supreme Court. The operation was carried out with the full consent of the elephants’ private owners. These were not wild elephants but privately owned captive elephants that had been used in the logging industry. |
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