Indian billionaire’s son offers to house Pablo Escobar’s hippos at his private zoo | Colombia | The Guardian https://share.google/zTEmYIB1r4TuCchQV
Here is a heart warming story that the stressed Guardian readers would have enjoyed but Hannah has managed to give it a different spin. In a world full of strife and anxiety, we hear of an individual’s desire to save 82 Hippopotamuses facing death. Anant Ambani of the Ambani Reliance Conglomerate has offered to take the animals from Colombia. He has a 3000 acres animal rescue centre in Jamnagar, a city in the State of Gujarat. It is home to 150,000 animals. It is called Vantara.
According to Hannah some critics have accused the sanctuary of indirect wildlife trafficking. Other’s according to Hannah, have alleged that the whole thing is a Ambani family vanity zoo. She adds the public do not have access to the sanctuary. So that means it is not a zoo. Hannah also observes what she calls weighty political backing in the form of PM Modi. Which politician would not patronise such a laudable initiative?
Hannah goes on to claim that the international watchdog Cites (convention on international trade in endangered species) has flagged alleged noncompliance with wildlife trade rules. However Cites Secretarial Report (2025) reported NO evidence of illegal imports and found high standards of animal welfare. The Supreme Court of India too found no evidence of any wrongdoing.
According to Anant Ambani the hippos are living sentient beings, ‘if we have a ability to save them, we have a responsibility to try’. As a devout Hindu Anant is practising Ahimsa- non violence. The saints and sages of Hinduism have over thousands of years championed compassion towards animals. Even an insect should not be harmed. It is for that reason that practising Hindus are Vegetarian and increasingly Vegan.
Nitin Mehta
28 April 2026
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