Vantara Hosts Flagship Veterinary Training on Conservation Medicine at its world-class facility in Jamnagar, Gujarat, marking a new milestone in wildlife healthcare and conservation capacity building in India. The three-day programme, running from August 18 to 20, is designed to strengthen veterinary expertise in wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, preventive medicine, and conservation science.
Founded by Anant Ambani, Vantara has quickly become one of the most ambitious and impactful wildlife rescue and conservation initiatives in the world. This latest training program represents not only a boost to India’s veterinary network but also a step forward in ensuring that endangered species and captive wildlife receive cutting-edge medical care.
A Landmark Event in Wildlife Conservation
The inaugural ceremony of the training programme was attended by some of the most respected names in India’s wildlife and forestry sector:
- Dr. V. Clement Ben, IFS – Member Secretary, Central Zoo Authority
- Mr. Digvijay Singh Khati – Former PCCF & CWLW, Government of Uttarakhand
- Dr. Pradeep K. Malik – Former Senior Professor & Head, Wildlife Institute of India
- Dr. Brij Kishor Gupta – Director, Greens Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre (GZRRC)
All four dignitaries addressed the gathering, highlighting the importance of this flagship veterinary training in advancing scientific wildlife management. Their speeches underlined how such initiatives are crucial in ensuring that veterinarians across India are well-prepared to deal with emerging diseases, emergency cases, and long-term conservation challenges.
What Makes This Training Special?
The Veterinary Training Course on Introduction to Conservation Medicine is the first of its kind in India. Over 54 veterinarians from zoos, wildlife facilities, and conservation centres across the country are participating.
Over three days, the participants will undergo:
- Expert-led classroom sessions on conservation medicine
- Hands-on training at Vantara’s advanced facilities
- Field-based experiences to simulate real-world wildlife rescue and rehabilitation challenges
- Clinical demonstrations covering anesthesia, diagnostics, and treatment of diverse wild species
This combination of theory + practice ensures that the training is not just academic, but highly practical and directly useful for professionals working with animals in the field.
Key Themes of the Training
The sessions are structured to cover multiple aspects of veterinary care in wildlife conservation:
- Emergency Field Response – How to react swiftly to wildlife accidents, poaching rescues, or natural disasters.
- Anesthesia and Clinical Care – Safe handling of species from elephants to cheetahs.
- Disease Surveillance – Monitoring and identifying diseases that could spread among wild and captive animals.
- Zoonotic Risk Management – Preventing diseases from transferring between animals and humans.
- Preventive Healthcare – Covering nutrition, podiatry, dentistry, and reproductive health for animals under human care.
Such a comprehensive structure makes the programme a benchmark in conservation medicine training in Asia.
State-of-the-Art Facilities at Vantara
What makes the experience unique is that participants are not confined to classrooms. They train at Vantara’s specialized centres, including:
- Wildlife Multispecialty Hospital – Equipped with advanced diagnostic and surgical technologies.
- Cheetah Conservation Centre – Dedicated to the care and rehabilitation of cheetahs.
- Elephant Care Centre – A model of ethical and compassionate elephant management.
- Rescue Centre for Herbivores – Focused on the care of deer, antelopes, and other plant-eating species.
By working directly in these facilities, veterinarians gain first-hand exposure to cutting-edge wildlife healthcare.
Voices from the Event
During the inauguration, Dr. Brij Kishor Gupta, Director of GZRRC, expressed his thoughts:
“This program underscores Vantara’s commitment to building a robust veterinary network dedicated to wildlife conservation. By equipping veterinarians with practical expertise and exposure to global best practices, we aim to enhance the long-term care of animals and contribute meaningfully to safeguarding India’s rich biodiversity.”
His words reflect the larger vision of Vantara: creating a network of highly skilled veterinarians who can collaborate across states and institutions, ensuring that animals everywhere in India receive world-class care.
Healing the Wild – Vantara’s Flagship Initiative
The training programme is being organized under Healing the Wild, Vantara’s flagship initiative. This initiative aims to:
- Advance veterinary care for wild animals
- Promote scientific wildlife management
- Support government-led conservation efforts nationwide
- Build long-term national capacity in animal healthcare
All participants will receive Certificates of Participation at the closing ceremony on August 20, officially recognizing their expertise and contribution.
Vantara’s Larger Vision
Vantara is not just a rescue centre—it is a living ecosystem of compassion and science.
- Home to 150,000+ animals from 2,000+ species
- Supported by 3,500+ dedicated professionals
- One of the world’s largest and most advanced conservation facilities
The initiative is already shaping the future of Indian wildlife care. Some of its recent landmark events include:
- National Gajsevak Sammelan – A platform for elephant caretakers across India
- International Training for Wildlife Officials from Congo – Strengthening global partnerships
- Current Veterinary Training on Conservation Medicine – Empowering India’s veterinarians
- Upcoming National Zoo Directors’ Conference (October 2025) – A knowledge-sharing forum for zoo leaders
By organizing such high-impact events, Vantara ensures that knowledge is not confined within its walls but shared widely.
Why This Matters for India’s Biodiversity
India is one of the most biodiverse nations in the world, home to tigers, elephants, leopards, lions, rhinos, and countless bird species. However, threats such as habitat loss, poaching, climate change, and disease outbreaks pose constant challenges.
Well-trained veterinarians are the first line of defense in protecting wildlife. Whether it is responding to an injured leopard in a village, rescuing an elephant from a conflict zone, or monitoring the spread of avian flu in migratory birds—specialized veterinary expertise is essential.
By hosting flagship veterinary training, Vantara is directly addressing this gap. It is creating a network of professionals who are prepared to respond, prevent, and innovate in the face of challenges.
Informative Table: Vantara Veterinary Training at a Glance
| Key Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Event Name | Veterinary Training on Introduction to Conservation Medicine |
| Hosted By | Vantara, Jamnagar, Gujarat |
| Focus Keyword | Vantara Hosts Flagship Veterinary Training |
| Dates | August 18 – 20, 2025 |
| Participants | 54 veterinarians from across India |
| Facilities Used | Wildlife Multispecialty Hospital, Cheetah Conservation Centre, Elephant Care Centre, Herbivore Rescue Centre |
| Key Themes | Emergency response, anesthesia, disease surveillance, zoonotic risk management, preventive healthcare |
| Organizing Initiative | Healing the Wild (Vantara’s flagship initiative) |
| Notable Events by Vantara | National Gajsevak Sammelan, Congo officials training, Zoo Directors’ Conference |
Global Relevance of Conservation Medicine
The concept of Conservation Medicine is gaining importance worldwide. It integrates veterinary science, human health, and ecosystem management under the principle of One Health. This training by Vantara reflects India’s commitment to global standards in wildlife care.
By collaborating with international experts and adapting global best practices, India is not only safeguarding its own biodiversity but also contributing to the global fight against wildlife diseases and ecological crises.
Also read: Anant Ambani’s Passion Project Vantara: A New Era of Wildlife Rescue and Care
Conclusion
The launch of the Veterinary Training on Conservation Medicine in Jamnagar demonstrates how Vantara Hosts Flagship Veterinary Training with a vision that extends far beyond its own facilities. It is about building a nation-wide network of empowered veterinarians, creating stronger bonds between institutions, and laying the foundation for future generations of wildlife professionals.
With its advanced infrastructure, visionary leadership, and commitment to scientific care, Vantara is setting global benchmarks in wildlife healthcare and conservation. This training is not just a three-day programme—it is a step towards a healthier, safer, and more compassionate future for India’s wildlife.
