*Investigation raises suspicions about the actions of the Indian zoo that received Spix's macaws* Rules for receiving endangered animals may have been circumvented, and the entity has become a major destination for seized species in the country. Aldem Bourscheit · June 18, 2024 Vantara is located in the arid state of Gujarat, on the west coast of India, next to a vast petrochemical complex. Image: Google Maps/O Eco The Greens Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Center has been involved in suspicions of circumventing international rules to receive endangered animals, being favored as a destination for seized wildlife in India, and using species to entertain people. The zoo and the Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Fund are linked to Vantara, a proclaimed animal welfare initiative led by Anant Ambani, the youngest son of one of the world's wealthiest individuals, Mukesh Ambani, CEO of the petrochemical giant Reliance Group. However, a long investigation by Himal Southasian magazine suggests that Vantara, along with some of its suppliers, violated the rules of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) to transfer native animals from various parts of the world to the country. India adopted this agreement in 1976, which lists species in three appendices according to their risk of extinction. Appendix 1 includes the most endangered species, whose trade is entirely prohibited, except through registered breeders and with CITES permits. The other appendices are less strict. But according to Himal, commercial operations outside the acceptable scope of the Convention and involving species at high risk of disappearing from the map were allegedly facilitated by bureaucratic-financial maneuvers and the relaxation of Indian laws for captive animals. The receipt of species by Vantara has been ongoing since 2008 but has increased in recent years. The 2022-23 report from Greens acknowledged 3,889 birds and animals at its facilities, from 134 distinct species. However, since February of this year, the number of animals has reportedly risen to over 4,700, from an unknown number of global species. The same document states that the zoo's goal is to offer "lifelong care" to specimens rescued from conflicts with people, animals under government custody—such as those seized from traffickers—and those housed in zoos and breeders with limited space. In February 2023, as reported by ((o))eco, 26 Spix's macaws (Cyanopsitta spixii) and 4 Lear's macaws (Anodorhynchus leari) were transferred from a breeder in Germany to the Indian Greens. The operation was reportedly non-commercial. Both birds only live freely in the Brazilian wild. The Spix's macaw is a bird exclusive to the Brazilian Caatinga. Photo: ACTP/Disclosure. Supported by the Indian government, Vantara has also become one of the major destinations for animals transferred from numerous other breeders and zoos in the Asian country and for exotic species confiscated from traffickers at its borders. Himal's investigation found that until 2018, this wildlife crime primarily flowed from India to countries like Myanmar, China, and Vietnam. Since then, the trend seems to have reversed, with growing seizures of exotic species entering Indian borders. The victims include pangolins, kangaroos, reptiles, birds, and primates from countries on all continents. After health and veterinary examinations, the vast majority are sent to Vantara. *Animal Pre-Wedding* Anant Ambani and his fiancée Radhika Merchant. Photo: Reproduction/Social Media Last February, Greens hosted one of the extravagant pre-wedding parties for Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant, whose family founded the pharmaceutical company Encore Healthcare. The lavish celebration had between 1,000 and more than 2,000 guests, according to sources, including Bill Gates (Microsoft) and Mark Zuckerberg (Meta), Ivanka Trump (daughter of former U.S. President Donald Trump), and singer Rihanna, whose exclusive performance was estimated to cost $9 million, equivalent today to nearly R$49 million. The event drew criticism and accusations from conservationists and public authorities over alleged animal mistreatment, especially of finely dressed elephants used as photo props for countless guests. The wedding ceremony between Anant and Radhika is scheduled for this July. We will update the information if GZRRC and Reliance Group respond to our interview requests regarding the findings of the journalistic investigations, the situation of the Spix's macaws and Lear's macaws they received, and whether they have already housed other Brazilian species.
The Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio) reports that Brazil will request the repatriation of the 26 Spix's macaws and 4 Lear's macaws sent in February to India by the Association for the Conservation of Threatened Parrots (ACTP) of Germany. "The Federal Government will evaluate all possible measures for the repatriation of the birds subjected to the commercial operations mentioned in Document 33.8 of CITES," the agency states. The convention allows global trade of species even at risk of extinction. At least 30 birds were sent by ACTP without informing the Brazilian Government, according to ICMBio and Ibama. The breeding center insists that Brazil was informed of the partnership with the Indian zoo, Greens Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre (GZRRC). "International transfers of Spix's macaw specimens should only be authorized by CITES when in accordance with the species' Management Program and endorsed by the Brazilian Government," ICMBio emphasizes. As we reported, this week at the 77th meeting of the CITES Standing Committee in Geneva, Switzerland, business with captive specimens of Brazilian macaws may be authorized. The proceeds from the sales would be used to strengthen their conservation, proponents of the transactions argue. However, the Brazilian government, civil entities, and researchers oppose the possibility, arguing that it could encourage crimes such as wildlife trafficking and would not help conserve the species in the wild. Both macaws are exclusive to the Caatinga. The Federal Executive's position was announced by diplomat Ângelo Paulo Sales dos Santos at the CITES meeting. "At the same meeting, Brazil requested information about the Spix's macaws and Lear's macaws [in breeding centers] in Europe," says ICMBio. Concerning Seizure Spix's macaws and Lear's macaws may be among more than 50 birds confiscated at the end of October in the Görlitz district, near the Polish border. At least cockatoos, native to Asia and Oceania, were also seized. ((o)eco is awaiting confirmation of the species. The animals were with a 44-year-old suspect, whose identity has not been disclosed. The quantities of each bird and their current location have also not been reported. "We are not authorized to say, also to avoid endangering the colleagues dealing with this," a spokesperson for the Customs Investigation Office in the city of Dresden told the public network MDR. During searches in Görlitz and also in Waren, in northern Germany, other bird species, a large amount of Euros, police clothing and uniforms, drugs, weapons, and gunpowder were also seized. Under investigation, the crimes occurred just days before the CITES meeting in Switzerland, which will assess the globalized trade of both species of Brazilian macaws, even those in captivity.
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https://oeco.org.br/noticias/invest...o-do-zoo-indiano-que-recebeu-ararinhas-azuis/).
