Reports Critical of Anant Ambani’s Vantara Disappear; News Outlets Receive Suspicious Emails and Legal Threats

Reports critical of Vantara, the animal rehabilitation centre owned by Anant Ambani in Gujarat’s Jamnagar, have mysteriously disappeared from several news websites just hours after being published. Articles highlighting concerns from a South African animal protection organization regarding the large-scale import of wild animals to Vantara, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 3, have been taken down from outlets including Deccan Herald, The Telegraph India, and The Tribune.

Sources told TNM that independent news organizations that had reported on similar issues also received suspicious emails and legal threats pressuring them to remove the stories.

Reports on Vantara’s animal imports vanish after legal threats emerge

Mahesh Deka, executive editor of NorthEast Now, shared with TNM that his team received a threatening email a day after publishing an article on the subject. The email, signed by someone named Bilal Ahmad, claimed that the website was inciting violence and hatred. The message also included an allegation that NorthEast Now was attempting to extort money in exchange for removing the article.

The following day, Mahesh reported receiving multiple inquiries from PR agencies based in Mumbai and Delhi, urging the website to remove four articles related to Vantara. One agency even offered to pay for publishing sponsored content, which Mahesh declined, citing his publication’s editorial policy. Despite the pressure, Mahesh confirmed that NorthEast Now would not be removing any of its articles.

One of the emails read, “I came across the website by chance and was shocked at the type of content it is promoting. The website is manipulating people’s personal information with the intention of defaming and blackmailing them. It is evident that the website's contents are defamatory and violate the rights of individuals to online privacy and protection. I strongly urge your help center to take action and remove the website as it is promoting terrorism and violates the laws of the land.”

The email, signed by "Bilal," also included a mobile number with a Pakistan ISD code.

Down To Earth magazine confirmed receiving an initial email and call requesting the removal of their report. Later, they received a defamation notice demanding up to Rs. 1,000 crore from lawyers allegedly representing Anant Ambani.

It remains unclear whether Deccan Herald, The Telegraph India, or The Tribune received similar communications.

The Wildlife Animal Protection Forum of South Africa (WAPFSA), a coalition of 30 conservation organizations, had previously urged South Africa's environment minister, Dion George, to investigate the export of wild animals from South Africa to Vantara. In a letter dated March 6, WAPFSA expressed concerns about the import of large numbers of leopards, cheetahs, tigers, and lions, and questioned the suitability of Vantara’s location in Gujarat, given the region's hotter climate, which may not be conducive to the well-being of many species housed there.

WAPFSA also highlighted concerns raised during a CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) meeting in November 2023, regarding India’s compliance with international wildlife trade regulations.

While Deccan Herald, The Telegraph India, and The Tribune initially covered the story, their articles are no longer accessible, with links leading to ‘404 - Page not found’ errors. The Financial Express also posted a similar story on March 10, but the original link now redirects to an updated article showcasing Vantara’s “unique” features. Interestingly, the URL of the Financial Express report still contains keywords referencing the original story about the export of wild animals.

At the time of writing, TNM reached out to the chief editors of Deccan Herald and The Telegraph India for comment, and Vantara officials have been contacted for a statement. The situation raises questions about the disappearance of these critical reports and whether there is an effort to suppress coverage of the growing concerns surrounding Vantara's operations.