Vantara hosts EARAZA conference, puts data and technology at the heart of wildlife conservation

The future of wildlife conservation may depend as much on shared data and digital tools as it does on field programmes and breeding centres. That was one of the central themes at the EARAZA Annual Conference 2026, which concluded at Anant Ambani’s Vantara in Jamnagar.

The four-day conference brought together representatives of 98 institutions from 30 countries, along with 29 Indian zoological institutions. Held under the theme “Strengthening Global Partnerships for Wildlife Conservation”, the event focused on cross-border conservation, animal welfare, wildlife medicine, technology, crisis response and public engagement.

One key announcement came from Vantara, which said all members of the Eurasian Regional Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EARAZA) would receive free access to its ANTZ Software Platform for one year. The offer includes the platform’s Open Data Exchange, designed to allow participating institutions to share information across the network.


The announcement came amid calls for a global data infrastructure for biodiversity conservation. EARAZA president Svetlana Akulova said conservation knowledge generated at one institution should be able to inform decision-making at others, particularly when species and ecosystems extend across national borders.

The conference examined coordinated conservation programmes involving the Amur tiger, Oriental stork, Blakiston’s eagle-owl and great bustard. Other sessions covered conservation breeding of Boiga snakes, ex-situ conservation of the Amur tiger, the reintroduction of the long-eared hedgehog and long-term programmes for the Indian wild ass.

The agenda also reflected the widening scope of modern zoological institutions. Delegates discussed wildlife disease diagnostics, veterinary capacity-building, animal nutrition, cryopreservation, parasite surveillance, rescue triage and preparedness for crises in care facilities and disasters in the wild.

Animal welfare was discussed through the lens of measurable outcomes. A panel titled “Animal Welfare: From Inputs to Measurable Outcomes”, moderated by Vivaan Karani, CEO, Vantara, examined how care practices can be assessed through their impact on individual animals.

Technology featured prominently on the third day. Vantara presented tools developed under the ANTZ platform, including Vespr, an edge-AI bioacoustic monitor that identifies species on the device; Smart Egg Analysis, which helps teams monitor eggs; and an NFC-enabled system for digitally recording animal-care rounds.

Scientific presentations by Vantara experts included work on non-invasive population genomics of Asiatic lions, avian rewilding, paraveterinary training, the use of artificial intelligence to understand animal behaviour and approaches to link ex-situ and in-situ conservation.

The conference also included an exhibition with 13 exhibitors from seven countries. The displays featured veterinary and diagnostic technologies, genomics and molecular tools, automated microscopy, assisted reproduction systems, avian incubation equipment and remote drug-delivery solutions. Vantara’s host pavilions presented innovations in wildlife care, nutrition, architecture and technology, as well as a virtual reality experience.
The programme included sessions on urban biodiversity, citizen science and the changing visitor experience at zoological institutions. Wildlife biologist and television presenter Forrest Galante spoke on the role of mass media in expanding conservation education. Interactive formats such as “The Elephant in the Room” and the Solution Station encouraged delegates to discuss difficult sector-wide questions and seek guidance on real wildlife-care challenges.

The conference opened with a performance by three-time Grammy Award-winning composer and environmentalist Ricky Kej. The Indian Zoo Year Book, Volume 11, 2026, was also released during the opening ceremony.
The closing ceremony featured Lifetime Achievement Awards for six leaders from India and abroad: Svetlana Akulova, René Franěk, Azer Huseynov, S C Sharma, Dr D N Singh and Dr B S Bonal.

The EARAZA flag was handed over to China, which will host the association’s 2027 conference.