Vantara, the animal welfare and conservation initiative founded by Anant Ambani, has announced a series of programmes focused on elephant care, veterinary support, knowledge sharing and human-elephant coexistence on the occasion of World Elephant Day.

Based in Jamnagar, Gujarat, Vantara currently cares for more than 260 Asian elephants. The organisation said its work with elephants began with Gauri, the first elephant rescued by Anant Ambani, and has since expanded into a wider welfare and conservation effort.

Anant Ambani said the initiative is focused not only on rescuing elephants but also on improving their long-term wellbeing, assisting those involved in their care and sharing expertise with conservation partners.

Rajasthan collaboration to improve care at Hathi Gaon

Vantara has joined hands with the Rajasthan Forest Department to strengthen facilities for elephants at Hathi Gaon in Jaipur.

The collaboration was announced by Rajasthan Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Sanjay Sharma on World Elephant Day.

Plans include the creation of an advanced Elephant Treatment and Care Facility, featuring a veterinary hospital, nutrition centre and hydrotherapy unit. A separate retirement and care facility for older elephants is also planned.

The initiative aims to combine the expertise of the state's forest authorities and Vantara to provide elephants with specialised care throughout their lives.

Welfare programme reaches 182 elephants

Vantara has also completed an elephant welfare outreach programme covering eight locations across Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Conducted with state forest departments, the programme provided veterinary and welfare assistance to 182 elephants and involved 242 mahouts.

The programme included practical training on areas such as elephant healthcare, first aid, humane handling and managing elephants during musth. Veterinary and welfare supplies, along with nutritional assistance, were also distributed.

Vantara said the initiative is intended to encourage continued cooperation between elephant-care professionals and facilitate the sharing of practical experience.

Children's campaign tells Leelavati's story

As part of its conservation education efforts, Vantara has launched “My Friend Leelavati”, a campaign aimed at teaching children about empathy towards elephants.

Leelavati was separated from her mother as a young elephant and subsequently spent years performing in a circus. She later suffered severe burns when a circus tent caught fire.

Now cared for at Vantara, Leelavati's story forms the centre of the children's campaign.

Participants are being invited to complete a themed puzzle and write a message for the elephant. Selected winners will receive Leelavati-themed gifts and an opportunity to visit Vantara, meet Leelavati and her caregiver and learn about elephant rescue and rehabilitation.

Vantara backs global human-elephant conflict initiative

The organisation is also supporting international efforts to address conflicts between elephants and human communities.

Vantara is providing financial assistance to the Elephant Protection Initiative Foundation to facilitate participation from conservation experts, field practitioners and young representatives from elephant-range countries at two international events scheduled to take place in Bangkok in March 2027.

The support is expected to cover representatives from all 13 Asian elephant range states, at least five African elephant range states associated with the initiative, as well as youth representatives from both regions.

The programme will also bring the EPI Youth Ambassadors Programme to India for the first time, creating a platform for young conservationists and practitioners from Asia and Africa to exchange ideas on reducing human-elephant conflict.

Technology and community efforts on the ground

Alongside its welfare facilities, Vantara said it continues to respond to elephant-related emergencies through rapid-response veterinary teams and technology such as thermal drones.

These teams work on cases involving injured elephants and situations involving conflict between wildlife and local communities.

The organisation said its broader objective is to combine veterinary intervention, community participation and conservation practices to encourage safer coexistence between people and elephants.

From one rescue to a larger welfare mission

Vantara said its elephant-related work has expanded considerably since Gauri became the first elephant rescued by Anant Ambani.

Today, its activities span rescue, medical treatment, rehabilitation, caregiver training, conservation education and international collaboration.

The organisation describes itself as a global animal welfare and conservation initiative supported by Reliance Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Reliance Industries.

Its Jamnagar facilities include specialised wildlife hospitals and a dedicated elephant hospital, while its outreach programmes involve government agencies and conservation partners in India and overseas.