#Vantara #GajsevakSammelan #ElephantCare #AnantAmbani #ProjectElephant #WildlifeWelfare #MahoutTraining #ElephantConservation #AnimalWelfareIndia
Jamnagar (Gujarat): In a first-of-its-kind initiative to raise national standards in elephant welfare, Vantara, the country’s pioneering wildlife care and conservation program founded by Mr. Anant Ambani, has partnered with the Project Elephant Division of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) to host India’s largest training programme for elephant caregivers—the Vantara Gajsevak Sammelan.
This five-day national workshop, currently underway at the Vantara facility in Jamnagar, brings together over 100 mahouts and elephant caregivers from across India. The goal: to build professional expertise, reinforce scientific best practices, and integrate traditional knowledge systems to ensure higher standards of care for elephants living under human supervision.
All participants will be awarded official certification upon completion, affirming the training’s national relevance and the government’s commitment to capacity building in this critical field.
A Tribute to the Unsung Heroes of Elephant Care
“This Sammelan is more than a training programme—it’s a tribute to those who dedicate their lives to elephant care,” said Vivaan Karani, Chief Executive Officer of Vantara. “Our aim is to unite traditional wisdom with modern science to build a stronger, more compassionate foundation for their wellbeing. It reaffirms that the future of elephant conservation in India depends not just on policy or habitat—but also on the empowered hands and hearts of their caregivers.”
The programme opened with a ceremonial welcome and a Maha Aarti at the Radhe Krishna Temple, symbolising a spiritually rooted yet science-led initiative. Hosted at Vantara’s state-of-the-art wildlife rescue and care facility, operated by the Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust, the Sammelan is being widely hailed as a model for future capacity-building efforts in the field of animal welfare.
Hands-On Learning and Scientific Instruction
The training is designed as a rotational model, with caregivers moving through specialised elephant care zones such as Gajwan, Gajraj Nagari, and Ganesh Nagari. Here, they receive hands-on exposure in essential elephant care practices like:
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Daily husbandry routines
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Bathing protocols
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Positive reinforcement training
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Foot care and hygiene
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Musth (aggressive mating phase) management
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Application of traditional Ayurvedic therapies
In tandem with field-based modules, expert-led scientific sessions cover vital subjects including:
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Elephant anatomy and physiology
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Stress detection and behavioural signs
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Common diseases and treatments
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Emergency care for recumbent (immobilised) elephants
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Nutrition and hydration needs
One session is exclusively devoted to the occupational health, safety, and psychological wellbeing of the mahouts and caregivers themselves, recognising their pivotal role in the long-term success of elephant conservation.
Building a National Network of Caregivers
What sets the Gajsevak Sammelan apart is its emphasis on collaboration and cross-learning. Structured reflection sessions and open discussion forums allow participants to:
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Share regional challenges and solutions
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Learn from peer experiences
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Build long-lasting networks of support
By nurturing a community of practice, the initiative aims to build a nationwide cadre of trained, skilled, and compassionate elephant caregivers who can raise the bar for captive elephant care across states and institutions.
Vantara’s Broader Mission: Conservation, Collaboration, and Capacity Building
Vantara today cares for over 250 rescued elephants, many of whom have been saved from neglect, exploitation, or medical emergencies. Its team of over 500 caregivers, many of whom were previously marginalised, represent a transformative model of inclusive conservation and welfare employment.
Beyond domestic efforts, Vantara is also emerging as an international leader in wildlife care education. The Gajsevak Sammelan is part of a broader capacity-building calendar that includes:
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An ongoing international training programme for wildlife officials from Congo
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The National Veterinary Training on Conservation Medicine (August 2025)
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The National Zoo Directors’ Conference (October 2025)
These landmark events further Vantara’s mission to foster global cooperation and knowledge exchange in critical care and conservation.
A New Chapter in Elephant Welfare
With the success of the Vantara Gajsevak Sammelan, India takes a major step forward in institutionalising high-quality elephant care training and elevating the status of caregivers as essential conservation professionals.
This initiative not only enhances the wellbeing of elephants under human care but also sets an inspiring example of how science, tradition, compassion, and policy can converge for the greater good of wildlife.
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