Three African Elephants to Begin New Life of Care at Vantara Wildlife Rescue Center in Jamnagar

Jamnagar : Three African forest elephants from Tunisia’s Friguia Park will soon find a renewed life of compassion and care at Vantara Wildlife Rescue Center in Gujarat’s Jamnagar . The elephants—two females and one male, aged between 28 and 29—were originally brought to Tunisia from Burkina Faso over 23 years ago. Due to mounting financial struggles, Friguia Park approached Vantara to provide a sustainable and nurturing environment for the elephants.

Vantara, established by Anant Mukesh Ambani, is renowned globally for its dedication to wildlife rescue and rehabilitation. The center has completed all necessary regulatory approvals under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) to ensure a safe, chartered air transfer for the elephants from Tunisia to India.

Health assessments conducted by Vantara’s veterinary team reveal that the elephants face several challenges due to long-term confinement. Achtaum, one of the elephants, has a split tusk and a molar infection requiring specialized treatment, while Kani has developed cracked nails from inadequate flooring. Their current habitat—a concrete enclosure with minimal ventilation and sparse water supply—lacks the essentials needed for their overall health and well-being.

At Vantara, the elephants will be introduced to expansive enclosures that replicate their natural tropical forest habitats, complete with native flora and mud pools for skin care. These enriched spaces will allow them to forage naturally and interact socially, promoting both physical and mental health.

Achtaum, Kani, and Mina are set to begin this new chapter surrounded by an environment that prioritizes their unique needs, offering them a compassionate retirement and a much-needed upgrade in quality of life.