Anant Ambani — a leading Indian conservation philanthropist and the driving force behind one of India’s biggest wildlife rescue and rehabilitation projects — has been awarded the Global Humanitarian Award for Animal Welfare by the Global Humane Society in the United States. The recognition makes him the first Asian and the youngest recipient of the award.
Ambani oversees Vantara, a large-scale conservation initiative located in the western Indian state of Gujarat. The facility combines medical treatment, rehabilitation, long-term care and species-conservation research for rescued animals. While relatively lesser-known in Southeast Asia, Vantara has been gaining international attention for its scientific approach to wildlife protection and its ability to operate at a scale uncommon in private-sector conservation.
The award was presented in Washington, DC during a gathering of global experts in wildlife science and animal welfare. The Global Humane Society — the international arm of the American Humane Society — praised Vantara for meeting some of the world’s most stringent animal-welfare and habitat standards. Its certification process is regarded as one of the toughest in the conservation sector.
Robin Ganzert, President and CEO of the Global Humane Society, said Ambani’s model demonstrates how Asian-led conservation programmes can shape global standards. “Vantara represents a new benchmark where science, compassion and infrastructure come together,” she said.
Ambani said the recognition reinforces India’s traditional philosophy of protecting all living beings, adding that the initiative’s goal is not just rescue, but long-term species security. “Every life deserves dignity and care,” he said at the event.
The award has previously been given to global public figures, including former US Presidents John F. Kennedy, Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush, as well as Hollywood personalities like Betty White. Ambani’s inclusion marks a significant milestone for Asia in a space largely dominated by Western organisations.
Experts from international conservation bodies — including IUCN members, zoological researchers and representatives from major US wildlife institutions — attended the ceremony. Indian conservation scientists also participated, highlighting the increasing global visibility of South Asian wildlife initiatives at a time when biodiversity loss remains a pressing concern across Asia, including Southeast Asia’s own vulnerable ecosystems.
