Vantara launches flagship veterinary training on conservation medicine, bringing together 54 veterinarians from across India

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

JAMNAGAR (GUJARAT),, AUGUST 18, 2025

Vantara, India’s pioneering wildlife rescue and conservation initiative founded by Anant Ambani, inaugurated its flagship ‘Veterinary Training Course on Introduction to Conservation Medicine’ at its world-class facilities in Jamnagar, Gujarat, today.

The inaugural session was graced by eminent dignitaries including Dr. V. Clement Ben, Member Secretary, Central Zoo Authority; Digvijay Singh Khati, former PCCF & CWLW, Government of Uttarakhand; Dr. Pradeep K. Malik, former Senior Professor & Head, Wildlife Institute of India; and Dr. Brij Kishor Gupta, Director, GZRRC. Addressing the participants, the guests highlighted the significance of this milestone initiative in strengthening the country’s capacity for wildlife health and conservation.

The three-day programme, running from August 18 to 20, has brought together 54 veterinarians from zoos and wildlife care facilities across India. Over the course of the training, participants will engage in expert-led sessions and hands-on modules designed to enhance national expertise in wildlife health management, emergency response, disease surveillance, diagnostics, and preventive healthcare.

The training is being conducted by Vantara’s leading specialists in collaboration with renowned national and international experts. The curriculum combines classroom discussions, clinical demonstrations, and immersive field experiences across Vantara’s advanced facilities, including the Wildlife Multispecialty Hospital, Cheetah Conservation Centre, Elephant Care Centre, and Rescue Centre for Herbivores.

Sessions will focus on modern veterinary approaches such as emergency field response, anaesthesia, diagnostics, and treatment of diverse species. Special emphasis will be laid on disease surveillance and zoonotic risks, alongside preventive healthcare practices covering nutrition, podiatry, dentistry, and reproductive health for animals under human care.

Speaking at the inauguration, Dr. Brij Kishor Gupta, Director of the Greens Zoological, Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre, said: “This programme underscores Vantara’s commitment to building a strong veterinary network dedicated to wildlife conservation. By equipping veterinarians with practical expertise and exposure to global best practices, we aim to strengthen long-term animal care and contribute meaningfully to the preservation of India’s rich biodiversity.”

The training is being conducted under ‘Healing the Wild’, Vantara’s flagship initiative that promotes advanced veterinary care, scientific wildlife management, and support for government-led conservation efforts nationwide. Certificates of Participation will be awarded to all veterinarians during the valedictory session on August 20.

Home to over 150,000 animals representing more than 2,000 species and supported by a team of 3,500+ dedicated professionals, Vantara stands as a beacon of compassionate care and global best practices in animal welfare. With its sustained focus on capacity-building, Vantara continues to create platforms for collaboration and knowledge-sharing through landmark initiatives such as the National Gajsevak Sammelan, the ongoing international training for wildlife officials from Congo, this National Veterinary Training on Conservation Medicine, and the forthcoming National Zoo Directors’ Conference in October. Together, these programmes are shaping the future of wildlife conservation in India and beyond.