UK Advised Against Formal Engagement with Indian Mega-Zoo Ahead of CITES Meeting

• UK ministers were advised not to engage formally with Vantara, a mega-zoo run by Indian billionaire Anant Ambani.
• The advice came ahead of a UK-chaired CITES meeting on endangered animal imports.
• Documents obtained by The Guardian and Mongabay under the Freedom of Information Act revealed the lobbying efforts.
• Vantara, founded and led by Anant Ambani, is a private animal sanctuary that has been the subject of controversy.
• Anant Ambani is the son of Mukesh Ambani, chairman and managing director of Reliance Industries.