Keralam Forest Department will get animal ambulances from Vantara Animal Rehabilitation Center in Gujarat

Photo for representation. | Photo credit: FILE PHOTO

The Keralam Forest Department is collaborating with Vantara, an animal rescue, rehabilitation and conservation project in Gujarat, supported by the Reliance Foundation, to improve veterinary care and rehabilitation of wild animals in the state.

The Jamnagar-based center will soon provide two modern animal ambulances to Kerala: a large one for transporting large animals like elephants at a cost of around ₹ 85 lakh and a medium-sized one worth around ₹ 45 lakh. The vehicles will be brought to Keralam after their registration is completed, sources said.

Currently, Keralam does not have any proper animal ambulances to transport larger animals like elephants. Temporary ambulances are used to transport elephants, which are created by modifying hired trucks. The proposed vehicle would help the department in transporting large animals, officials said.

Four forest veterinarians of the department will participate in a five-day advanced training program on animal care in Vantara from October 4.

Incidentally, a six-member team from the department led by P. Pugazhendi, Chief Wildlife Warden, Kerala, visited the facility last month. The members of the delegation included the director of Thrissur Zoological Park and assistant veterinarian of the Kottoor Elephant Rehabilitation Center. The visit sparked intense debate as it coincided with Chief Minister VD Satheesan’s proposal to shift the museum in Thiruvananthapuram to a location outside the city limits and close to some forested areas.

“Keralam, which has five elephant rehabilitation centres, including those at Kottoor, Muthanga and Kodanad, can adopt scientific procedures to rehabilitate the animals,” the official said.

The center regularly offers training programs for mahouts, animal breeders and forest veterinarians. Keralam staff could also be trained. Vantara practices a positive reinforcement method to train animals, especially elephants, by offering them edible treats to obey commands and avoid physical contact. This is not the case with Kerala. Here, animals are forced to obey commands by inflicting physical pain and fear on them, he said.

The department will soon come up with a plan for future tie-up with the Gujarat Center for Training and Rehabilitation Care and Management of Injured Wildlife, the official said.

Published – 02 Oct 2026 19:39 IST