THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
JAMNAGAR, NOVEMBER 6, 2026
In a race against time to save a young elephant's life, Vantara, founded
by Anant Ambani, has airlifted an 18-month-old ailing calf, Maya, from Kerala
to its specialised wildlife hospital in Jamnagar, Gujarat, offering her a fresh
hope of recovery after she suffered multiple fractures and severe health
complications.
Abandoned shortly after birth and raised by forest officials and caregivers
in Kerala, Maya was found in a weak and dehydrated condition near Kaprikkad in
the Malayattoor Division on April 19, 2025. The newborn had been left behind
after her herd crossed a river and was so frail that she could not even suckle.
For more than a year, Assistant Forest Veterinary Officer Dr. Binoy C
Babu and a dedicated team of caregivers provided round-the-clock feeding,
nursing and medical attention to keep her alive.
However, Maya's health took a serious turn in July this year when she
slipped while playing and injured her shoulder. Despite sustained efforts
involving physiotherapy, splints and nutritional supplements, her bones
continued to weaken. By late October, she had lost the ability to stand,
suffering fractures in both front legs, besides a chest infection and painful
pressure sores.
With her condition deteriorating and prognosis turning grave, Kerala's
Chief Wildlife Warden Dr. P Pugazhendi sought expert medical intervention to
explore every possible avenue for her treatment.
Padma Shri awardee Dr. Kushal Konwar Sarma, an eminent elephant
veterinarian and Veterinary Advisor to Vantara, identified a possible
parathyroid-related disorder that could be responsive to treatment. Dr. Yaduraj
Khadpekar, Head Veterinarian at Vantara's Elephant Care Centre, supported the
assessment, following which the medical board unanimously recommended shifting
the calf to the specialised facility for intensive care.
Acting on the transfer order issued by the Chief Wildlife Warden, Vantara
mobilised its specialised veterinary team and airlifted Maya to Jamnagar on
November 6 at the initiative of its founder Anant Ambani.
The life-support airlift was accompanied by three Vantara elephant
veterinarians, paravets and caregivers, along with Dr. Binoy C Babu and her
familiar caregiver Nikhil Babu, ensuring that the calf remained surrounded by
people she knew and trusted during the journey.
At Vantara's intensive hospitalisation facility, Maya will receive
round-the-clock medical monitoring, pain management, advanced diagnostic
investigations and specialised support, including hydraulic lifting assistance
and hydrotherapy wherever medically appropriate.
The organisation said Kerala's forest authorities would continue to
retain responsibility for Maya's care, adding that Vantara would facilitate her
return to Abhayaranyam after completion of the treatment.
"Maya has fought for every single day of her life. Now it is our
turn to fight for her. Our team will not leave her side, not for a moment.
Today, we ask everyone to hold this little one in their prayers. Every life
matters, and Maya's matters to all of us," Vantara CEO Vivaan Karani said.
While her prognosis remains uncertain and the road to recovery is
expected to be challenging, the transfer has opened a new window of hope for
the young elephant, whose struggle for survival began on a riverbank in Kerala.
Vantara, meaning 'Star of the Forest', is a wildlife rescue, care, welfare and conservation initiative based in Jamnagar, Gujarat, founded by Anant Ambani, Executive Director of Reliance Industries Limited.
The initiative brings together advanced veterinary medicine, specialised infrastructure and multidisciplinary expertise to support animal rescue, treatment, rehabilitation and lifelong care. It also works with government authorities and conservation partners on wildlife conservation, habitat restoration, native species recovery and mitigation of human-wildlife conflict.
