Ambani's 'Vantara' team visits Kerala's Guruvayur: A multi-speciality veterinary hospital, likely soon

Anant Ambani's pet project, Vantara, an animal rescue-rehabilitation centre in Gujarat, is considered the world's largest of its kind. The facility, launched in 2024, is around 3,500 acres and also has a 24,000 sq foot veterinary hospital with advanced technologies. Recently, an expert medical team from Vantara visited Punnathur Kotta, the famed elephant camp of Kerala's Guruvayur temple. If all goes well, Guruvayur can soon be home to a multi-speciality veterinary hospital for elephants and cattle under the Devaswom Board that manages the region's famed Sree Krishna Temple.

Inpsection at Punnathur Kotta
The team evaluated the existing infrastructure at Punnathur Kotta and the scope for establishing a super-speciality veterinary facility here. A while ago, Anant Ambani had visited Guruvayur and held discussions with its Devaswom authorities on the same. The Devaswom said that the expert team indicated that steps to set up a multi-speciality veterinary hospital for elephants could be initiated after detailed planning and technical deliberations, as part of the comprehensive development of Punnathur Kotta.

Devaswom team invited to Vantara
The team also invited an official delegation from the Devaswom to visit the Vantara facility in Jamnagar for further study and coordination. During the visit, the experts examined the temple elephant "Nandan" and offered clinical recommendations, including advanced treatment protocols and management practices. The Vantara team appreciated the existing standards of healthcare and elephant management at Punnathur Kotta, the Devaswom said in its Facebook post.

What is Punnathur Kotta
Located about two kilometres from the Sree Krishna Temple, Punnathur Kotta is one of the largest centres for captive elephants in the state. It was originally a palace of the Punnathur Kings. The facility was acquired by the temple in 1975 for the elephants that the Guruvayur Temple receives from devotees as offerings to Lord Guruvayurappan. Elephants are also trained here to take part in temple rituals and festivals. They are also given medical treatments and special care when required.
(With inputs from PTI)