20 Elephants rescued from the logging industry to find freedom in Anant Ambani’s Vantara, a chain-free sanctuary

Founded by Anant Ambani, Vantara is all set to home 20 rescued elephants—10 males, 8 females, 1 sub-adult, and 1 calf—freed from the exploitative logging industry in Arunachal Pradesh.

This rescue operation carried out with the approval of the HighPowered Committee constituted by the Tripura High Court and entrusted by the Supreme Court of India, has been executed with the full consent of the current owners of the animals.

Following are the rescued elephants:

• Laxmi, a 10-year-old captive-born sub-adul.
• Maya, a 2-year-old captive-born calf, was rescued alongside her mother, Rongmoti.
• Ramu, a bull elephant.
• Babulal, another bull elephant, suffered from a severely broken and bleeding tail, caused by a conflict with a wild bull elephant during foraging.

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The mahouts and others involved will also receive training in science-supported methods of elephant management so that these elephants receive considerate care.

The organisation has secured all required documentation under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, including obtaining a No Objection Certificate from the Gujarat Forest Department and a Transport Permit from the Arunachal Pradesh Forest Department.

The elephants will be transported in specially designed elephant ambulances, with the calf Maya travelling alongside her mother. A team of nearly 200 experts, including elephant veterinarians, paravets, senior caretakers, and ambulance drivers from Vantara, will ensure the secure and compliant transportation of the animals, adhering to stringent transportation guidelines and animal welfare standards.

Tabang Jamoh, Divisional Forest Officer, Namsai, confirmed, "With an active breeding population of approximately 200 captive elephants in Arunachal Pradesh, DNA profiling is being conducted to monitor their health and welfare closely. The transfer of 20 elephants to the Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust at Vantara, as directed by the Supreme Court-appointed committee, ensures a brighter future for these animals. This initiative enhances animal welfare while providing local communities with alternative livelihoods, striking a balance between conservation, community well-being, and forest protection."

Dr Sorang Tadap, Veterinary Officer at Itanagar Biological Park, stated, "Captive elephants often suffer from severe health issues, including injuries, arthritis, and psychological trauma due to harsh labour, training, and prolonged chaining. Many calves sustain deep leg injuries during training, while adults face ongoing risks from conflicts with wild bulls. There is an urgent need for dedicated hospital facilities offering round-the-clock care and physiotherapy, which our state currently lacks. It is encouraging to see facilities like Vantara providing advanced medical treatment and lifelong care for rescued elephants, setting a vital benchmark for their welfare."

Chow Thamasala Mein, one of the elephant owners, highlighted the uniqueness of the initiative: “With wood logging banned, we no longer wish to use our elephants for such labour. We are pleased they will now live a life of care at Vantara. This initiative also provides stable jobs and a steady income for our families, securing a brighter future for our children."

Though highly intelligent and social, these elephants are treated as tools, and robbed of their dignity and well-being. At Vantara, they can heal and live authentically as elephants.