'My Father Is One of The Biggest Wildlife Buffs': Anant Shares How Mukesh Ambani Inspired His Love for Animals | News18 Interview

Anant Ambani, son of Reliance Industries chairman and managing director Mukesh Ambani and philanthropist Nita Ambani, got engaged to Radhika Merchant, daughter of industrialist Viren Merchant and Shaila Merchant, in January last year, and they are now preparing to host dazzling pre-wedding celebrations from March 1 to March 3 in Gujarat’s Jamnagar, with notable figures from the worlds of business, sports, and entertainment to attend.

Anant, who is also intensely passionate about animal welfare from a very young age and is currently involved with several initiatives across rescue, healthcare, rehabilitation, and conservation of animals, spoke to CNN-News18’s Anand Narasimhan.

The director at Reliance Industries has taken up an ambitious project of opening the world’s largest animal rescue and rehabilitation centre, Vantara.

In the interview, Anant Ambani noted his father’s deep passion for wildlife, recalling how Mukesh Ambani’s enthusiasm for jungle safaris during their youth inspired him to pursue projects like this and take care of animals.

“I would do it in my childhood. And my father is one of the biggest wildlife buffs. For example, when we were young, I think till the age of 18, I’d not gone on any other family holiday except Africa, Ranthambore, and the jungles of Kanha, Bandhavgarh, and Kaziranga. My father would only take us on jungle holidays," he said. “So I think they inspired me to do this. And to be honest, for domestic animals, there are many people who are doing a lot of good work across the country."

Vantara is spread over 2,500 acres in Jamnagar, where Reliance’s refinery and housing complexes are based, and houses more than 50-60 endangered species of rescued animals. The need to build such a facility arose to keep the animals close to their natural habitats.

The programme is said to have rescued over 200 elephants, and thousands of other animals, reptiles, and birds from unsafe situations over the last few years. It has also taken initiatives in species including rhinoceros, leopard, and crocodile rehabilitation.