Indian Philanthropist Anant Ambani Honoured with Global Humanitarian Award for Wildlife Conservation

In a moment that has cemented global animal welfare, Indian billionaire and Anant Ambani has been awarded the prestigious Global Humanitarian Award by the Global Humane Society (GHS), making him the youngest recipient to receive this honour.

The award, presented at an international event in Washington, DC, recognises Ambani’s groundbreaking work through Vantara, a massive wildlife conservation centre in India that has redefined rescue, rehabilitation, and species preservation on a global scale.

Ambani, founder of Vantara, was lauded for his “visionary leadership” in establishing what GHS describes as “one of the most extraordinary commitments to animal welfare anywhere in the world.”

The centre, which recently earned the rigorous Global Humane Certified distinction, integrates ex-situ care – providing support outside animals’ natural habitats – with in-situ protection efforts within native ecosystems.

This approach focuses on safeguarding threatened species, restoring populations, and advancing science-based reintroduction programmes for endangered animals.Dr. Robin Ganzert, President and CEO of GHS – the international arm of the American Humane Society, founded in 1877 – praised Ambani’s efforts.

“Vantara is more than a rescue centre; it is a sanctuary of healing,” she said. “The ambition, scale, and heart behind Vantara have set a new benchmark for what modern animal welfare can look like.”

Ambani, in his acceptance, invoked the Indian principle of “sarvabhutahita” – the wellbeing of all beings – stating, “Animals teach us balance, humility and trust.

''Through Vantara, our purpose is to give every life dignity, care, and hope, guided by the spirit of seva. Conservation is not for tomorrow; it is a shared dharma we must uphold today.”

Legends surrounding Ambani’s profound love for animals have long circulated in conservation circles, painting him as a modern-day guardian of the wild.

Stories abound of his personal interventions, such as rescuing abused elephants and orphaned rhinos, often at great expense, transforming Vantara into a haven for over thousands of animals. One oft-repeated tale highlights his childhood fascination with wildlife, where he reportedly spent hours in family estates caring for stray dogs and birds, fostering a lifelong passion that evolved into large-scale initiatives halting localised extinctions, like efforts for the giant armadillo in Brazil’s Pantanal.

GHS, which protects over 1.5 billion animals annually across 59 countries through programmes like No Animals Were Harmed for film safety, Humane Conservation for zoos, and Global Humane Farming, places Ambani alongside illustrious past honorees.

These include U.S. Presidents William Howard Taft, George H.W. Bush, and Bill Clinton; Hollywood icons Betty White, Shirley MacLaine, and John Wayne; and global experts like Dr. Jon Paul Rodríguez and Dr. Arnaud Desbiez.In South Africa, where wildlife conservation is pivotal amid poaching threats to rhinos and elephants, the award has sparked calls for international collaboration.

A leading South African conservation expert , told The Star: “Anant Ambani’s Vantara model is inspiring. South African institutions like SANParks and the Endangered Wildlife Trust should collaborate with Vantara to share expertise in habitat restoration and anti-poaching tech.

This could amplify efforts to protect our Big Five and foster cross-continental biodiversity

initiatives.”

As climate challenges intensify, Ambani’s recognition underscores the need for global unity in animal welfare, bridging continents from India to Africa.