Vantara Success Story: Treatment for Malnourishment of Rescued Asiatic Black Bears

Reliance Industries and Reliance Foundation on Monday unveiled Vantara, an initiative for animal welfare in Gujarat, with focus on the rescue, treatment, and rehabilitation of injured and abused wildlife across India and abroad.

Spanning 3,000 acres within the Green Belt of Reliance’s Jamnagar Refinery Complex in Gujarat, the initiative marks the first-of-its-kind effort in India.

Within the premises, a rescue and rehabilitation centre spanning more than 650 acres has been established. In recent years, the programme has successfully rescued over 200 elephants and thousands of other animals, reptiles, and birds from unsafe situations. It has undertaken initiatives in key species including rhino, leopard, and crocodile rehabilitation.

A pair of Asiatic black bears, rescued from northeastern India, faced severe health issues, including respiratory distress and malformations due to growth deficits. The Vantara facility provided intensive care, with a preliminary examination revealing malnourishment-induced bone malformations affecting their breathing.

Blood analysis, X-rays, and CT scans detailed the extent of their condition. The expert team initiated therapy, using epidermal growth factors and anabolic steroids to enhance breathing patterns and correct morphological defects caused by poor nutrition. Post-treatment, the bears made a remarkable recovery and are now happily adapting to their new life.

The Vantara programme has worked with international organisations such as the Venezuelan National Foundation of Zoos and associated with reputable organisations worldwide such as the Smithsonian and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

In India, it collaborates with the National Zoological Park, Assam State Zoo, Nagaland Zoological Park, Sardar Patel Zoological Park, etc.

The Vantara initiative has been conceptualised and birthed under the passionate leadership of Anant Ambani, director on the boards of RIL and Reliance Foundation.

Anant is getting ready for pre-wedding festivities with his fiancee Radhika Merchant from March 1 to March 3 in Gujarat’s Jamnagar, where the biggest names from the worlds of business, entertainment, and sports are among the invitees.