Anant Ambani’s Vantara to provide new life to 3 African elephants from Tunisia

Three African forest elephants– two females and one male, aged 28 to 29 years– will soon find a compassionate new home at Vantara, a world-renowned wildlife rescue centre in Gujarat’s Jamnagar.
This Diwali, Anant Ambani arranged a charter plane to bring these elephants from Tunisia to Vantara, where they will experience a new life of care and compassion.

Founded by Anant, Vantara was approached by a private wildlife facility in Tunisia seeking a supportive environment where the elephants’ specific dietary, housing, and medical needs could be met sustainably.

More than 20 years ago, at just four years old, Achtaum, Kani, and Mina were transferred from Burkina Faso to Tunisia, where they have lived for nearly 23 years.

Now, with all regulatory and legal compliance completed, including alignment with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the elephants are preparing for their journey to India via a chartered cargo aircraft.
Though the elephants have been a central attraction at the facility, ongoing challenges prompted the decision to find them a specialized care setting where their needs could be supported long-term.

Recognizing that, after years of human care, a return to the wild would not be possible, the facility sought a place that could ensure the elephants’ well-being in a naturalistic and enriched habitat. Vantara was identified as the ideal destination for a peaceful and fulfilling retirement.
A recent health assessment by Vantara’s veterinary team noted that the elephants could benefit from tailored medical care and a supportive environment. Achtaum has a split tusk and a minor molar infection that will require consistent care, while Kani has some cracked nails from years on hard flooring.
The elephants’ current housing is basic, with limited enrichment for their physical and mental well-being. Their diet has consisted mainly of dry hay, with varying access to water resources.

In the wild, African forest elephants (Loxodonta cyclotis) are native to the tropical forests of Central and West Africa, where they forage on varied foliage and enjoy mud wallows essential to their skin health.
At Vantara, expansive, enriched enclosures with native flora, mud pools, and food designed to encourage natural foraging behaviors will offer Achtaum, Kani, and Mina a life that closely mirrors their natural habitat. Vantara’s team is committed to creating an environment filled with compassionate care, promoting the elephants’ physical, psychological, and social well-being, and offering them a renewed chance to experience life as close to their wild habitat as possible.