THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

JAMNAGAR (GUJARAT), AUGUST 20, 2026

Vantara on Thursday announced the appointment of globally renowned wildlife conservation expert and former CITES Secretary-General John E Scanlon AO as the inaugural independent Chair of its newly established five-member Governing Council, marking a significant strengthening of its governance framework as the organisation seeks to reset and expand its role in animal welfare and wildlife conservation.

Scanlon, who has worked across every continent and held senior positions with governments, the United Nations, international institutions and conservation organisations, will lead the Council, Vantara's peak governing body with overall responsibility for overseeing its conservation, animal care and rehabilitation, and compliance activities. The Council will also have final authority over every decision to acquire an animal.

The appointment comes as Vantara undertakes a comprehensive reset of its operations, including a voluntary strengthening of its internal due diligence, governance, expertise and processes, and a strategic shift from an emphasis on ex situ rescue towards providing greater in situ support to countries, including India.

 “Vantara has sought, obtained, and acted upon external advice as it takes bold steps to reset its operations. In making this reset, it has decided to voluntarily strengthen its internal due diligence governance, expertise and processes, and to pivot from ex situ rescue towards providing in situ support to countries, including in India,” Scanlon said.

 “As Vantara grows and embeds these changes into its daily operations, it will have an ever-increasing global influence on advancing animal welfare, wildlife conservation and harmonious co-existence. I look forward to helping Vantara deliver on its reset and to making a lasting, transformative impact,” he added.

A lawyer by training, Scanlon brings extensive international experience in environmental protection, nature conservation and sustainable development. His career spans leadership roles in the private sector, government, the United Nations, international institutions and not-for-profit organisations, with a particular focus on translating conservation policy into practical, real-world action.

Scanlon was first approached by Vantara in April this year to provide an independent assessment of its operations along with a set of recommendations. He was engaged on terms designed to ensure his complete independence from Vantara and, following several extensive visits, submitted his independent report and recommendations.

Vantara subsequently undertook to implement the recommendations in full and invited Scanlon to undertake additional independent roles to assist with their implementation and provide broader guidance and support. He has now been engaged as an independent adviser to fulfil his responsibilities as Chair of the Governing Council.

Scanlon was awarded the prestigious Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2019 for distinguished service to wildlife conservation and protection through his work with international organisations.

His other honours include the Adelaide University Distinguished Alumni Award, the Chinese Government Friendship Award, the Financial Crime Fighter of the Year Award and the UNEP Baobab Award for Innovation.

Over a distinguished international career, Scanlon has served as Secretary-General of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in Geneva; Principal Policy Advisor at the UN Environment Programme in Nairobi; Director of the Environmental Law Centre at the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in Bonn; and Trustee of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, in London.

He has also served as Chair of the Global Initiative to End Wildlife Crime, Chair of the UK Government Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund Advisory Group, Executive President of the International Council of Environmental Law, Strategic Advisor to the World Commission on Dams, CEO of South Australia's Department for Environment, Heritage and Aboriginal Affairs, Chair of the Environment Protection Authority in Sydney, Commissioner of the Murray-Darling Basin Commission in Canberra, and a member of the Steering Committee of the IUCN World Commission on Environmental Law.

With Scanlon at the helm of its new Governing Council, Vantara said the strengthened governance structure is intended to embed greater independent oversight, expertise and accountability across its conservation, animal welfare and compliance functions as it implements the recommendations arising from the independent review.