Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday visited the newly inaugurated 'Vantara' animal rescue and rehabilitation centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat. During his visit, he interacted with various rescued animals and explored the centre’s advanced veterinary facilities. Home to over 1.5 lakh rescued animals, Vantara is dedicated to conservation and animal welfare.

A video from the visit shows PM Modi engaging with different animals, including Asiatic lion cubs, white lion cubs, leopard cubs, and other rare species. In a striking moment, he sat face-to-face with snow tigers, a white lion, and a snow leopard, separated only by a glass partition.

Additionally, he interacted with lions, tigers, giraffes, elephants, and parrots, underscoring India’s commitment to wildlife conservation. Sharing pictures on X, the Prime Minister was seen feeding water to orphaned baby rhinos and lion cubs, patting an okapi, hugging an orangutan, and observing crocodiles. His visit also included rare sightings of a massive python, a unique two-headed snake, and a two-headed turtle.

"Vantara is a remarkable initiative, reflecting our age-old values of coexisting with and protecting all living beings. Here are some glimpses from my visit," PM Modi wrote on X.

The Prime Minister also toured the centre’s state-of-the-art wildlife hospital, where he was briefed on its cutting-edge veterinary services, including MRI, CT scans, and ICUs. He visited an operation theatre where a leopard, recently injured in a highway accident, was undergoing life-saving surgery.

Spanning 3,000 acres, Vantara provides a sanctuary for over 2,000 endangered species. The facility ensures rescued animals live in environments closely resembling their natural habitats, furthering conservation efforts.