Vantara hosts a groundbreaking veterinary training course on Introduction to Conservation Medicine at its world-class wildlife facilities in Jamnagar, Gujarat. The three-day program, held from August 18 to 20, 2025, marks a major milestone in India’s efforts to strengthen wildlife healthcare, emergency response, and conservation management.
A Landmark Training Under “Healing the Wild” Initiative
The course is organized under Healing the Wild, Vantara’s flagship initiative designed to:
- Advance veterinary care standards in India
- Promote scientific wildlife management
- Support government-led conservation projects nationwide
By launching this specialized training, Vantara hosts a platform where science, compassion, and practical skills meet to protect India’s rich biodiversity.
Speaking at the inauguration, Dr. Brij Kishor Gupta, Director of the Greens Zoological, Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre, said:
“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.”
Bringing Together India’s Wildlife Experts
The program is attended by 54 veterinarians from zoos, rescue centres, and wildlife facilities across India. For three days, participants will engage in a blend of theory sessions, hands-on demonstrations, and immersive field learning.
The training covers a wide range of topics essential for the future of wildlife health:
- Emergency response in the wild
- Modern anaesthesia and diagnostic techniques
- Species-specific treatment methods
- Disease surveillance and monitoring
- Zoonotic disease prevention
- Preventive animal healthcare such as nutrition, podiatry, dentistry, and reproductive care
This comprehensive structure ensures that Indian veterinarians are not just trained to handle emergencies but are also well-prepared to focus on long-term health and wellness of animals under human care.
Key Highlights of the Training
Aspect | Details |
---|---|
Event | Veterinary Training Course on Introduction to Conservation Medicine |
Organizer | Vantara under Healing the Wild initiative |
Dates | August 18–20, 2025 |
Location | Vantara Wildlife Facilities, Jamnagar, Gujarat |
Participants | 54 veterinarians from zoos & wildlife centres across India |
Focus Areas | Wildlife health management, diagnostics, preventive care, zoonotic risks, field response |
Facilities Involved | Wildlife Multispecialty Hospital, Cheetah Conservation Centre, Elephant Care Centre, Herbivore Rescue Centre |
Collaboration | Vantara’s specialists with national & international experts |
Hands-On Experience at World-Class Facilities
Unlike conventional classroom workshops, the Vantara hosts training provides immersive exposure across its state-of-the-art facilities:
- Wildlife Multispecialty Hospital – Equipped with advanced diagnostic tools and surgical units for multiple species.
- Cheetah Conservation Centre – Dedicated to rehabilitation, breeding, and health management of one of the world’s most threatened big cats.
- Elephant Care Centre – Specialized in treating elephants rescued from abuse, accidents, and captivity-related health issues.
- Rescue Centre for Herbivores – A sanctuary for herbivorous species requiring long-term care and rehabilitation.
This integrated field experience allows veterinarians to see real-world conservation medicine practices in action.
Vantara: A Sanctuary for Over 1,50,000 Animals
Founded by Anant Ambani, Vantara is one of the largest wildlife rescue and conservation projects in the world. It was formally inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March 2025.
Today, the facility provides a safe haven for more than 1,50,000 animals belonging to over 2,000 species. Backed by 3,500 dedicated professionals, Vantara combines compassion with science, offering not just shelter but also medical rehabilitation and lifelong care.
Prime Minister Modi himself highlighted the importance of this centre during its inauguration, sharing heart-touching examples of rescued animals:
- An elephant victim of an acid attack, now recovering under specialized care.
- Several elephants blinded by their own mahouts, receiving treatment at the Elephant Care Centre.
- Another elephant hit by a speeding truck, being rehabilitated with love and patience.
- A lioness that survived a severe spinal injury after a vehicle collision.
- A leopard cub abandoned by her family but given a new life at the sanctuary.
These stories reflect the centre’s broader mission of providing a second chance at life for injured, abused, or abandoned wildlife.
Conservation Medicine: A Growing Need
The field of conservation medicine is gaining global importance due to rising challenges in wildlife health. Increasing human-wildlife conflict, habitat destruction, poaching, and climate change have all contributed to greater health risks for wild species.
India, being one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, faces unique challenges:
- Spread of zoonotic diseases like rabies, avian influenza, and tuberculosis
- Injuries due to road accidents and human encroachment
- Captive animal health deterioration in zoos and private facilities
- Climate-related stress on species such as elephants, big cats, and migratory birds
Through this training program, Vantara hosts a platform to address these challenges by equipping veterinarians with the skills needed for proactive, preventive, and scientific wildlife healthcare.
International and National Collaboration
The training is not limited to Vantara’s internal expertise. It features collaboration with leading national and international specialists, ensuring that Indian veterinarians benefit from the latest research, methods, and case studies worldwide.
This exchange of knowledge will help standardize veterinary protocols across Indian zoos and sanctuaries, bringing them on par with global best practices.
Voices from the Field
Participants of the training expressed enthusiasm about the program’s depth and practical design. Many veterinarians noted that this initiative is the first of its kind in India to focus on comprehensive conservation medicine instead of limited species-specific training.
One participant said:
“The hands-on learning at Vantara’s advanced facilities is unlike anything we’ve experienced before. This course will transform how we care for animals in our home states.”
Also read: Vantara Wildlife Rehabilitation: A New Hope for Rescued Animals in India
Healing the Wild: Beyond Training
The Healing the Wild initiative under which this training is being held is not just a one-time project. It represents Vantara’s long-term vision to restore, rehabilitate, and protect wildlife through medical care, scientific research, and education.
Future plans include:
- Establishing mobile veterinary units for rapid emergency response in forest areas
- Creating a national wildlife health database for disease tracking and management
- Hosting annual refresher courses for veterinarians across South Asia
- Collaborating with government and NGOs to expand rescue and rehabilitation networks
By doing so, Vantara aims to build a sustainable ecosystem of wildlife healthcare in India.
Also read: Who is the CEO of Vantara? Here’s Everything You Need to Know
Why Vantara Hosts This Training Now
The timing of the training is significant. In 2025, India continues to expand its conservation efforts, from tiger reserves to elephant corridors. However, the gap in veterinary expertise and infrastructure has been a recurring challenge.
By hosting this flagship course, Vantara addresses a pressing need: building national capacity in veterinary science tailored to wildlife health, not just domestic animals.
This initiative will empower veterinarians to not only treat injured animals but also to prevent outbreaks, reduce mortality, and strengthen biodiversity conservation.
Also read: Vantara Gujarat: India’s Largest Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre
Conclusion: A Milestone in Wildlife Care
With this flagship course, Vantara hosts an initiative that blends science, compassion, and collaboration. By investing in the skills of veterinarians and creating a nationwide network of wildlife health experts, Vantara is contributing to the future of India’s natural heritage.
This program highlights that saving animals is not just about rescue—it is about building systems of care, research, and preventive medicine. With its scale, vision, and dedication, Vantara is setting a global example of how conservation medicine can become a powerful tool for biodiversity protection.
As the three-day training concludes, it leaves behind not just educated veterinarians but also a renewed hope that every animal—whether an elephant blinded by abuse or a leopard cub abandoned in the wild—will get a fair chance at life.