India has submitted a formal appeal to the international agreement overseeing global wildlife commerce. The nation asked the U.N. convention not to impose restrictions on its shipments of endangered species.
This request follows increased scrutiny over claims of improper animal imports connected to a massive private sanctuary, operated by the family of one of Asia’s wealthiest individuals.
Controversy Surrounding the Sanctuary
The large sanctuary, situated across 3,500 acres in Gujarat state, is managed by the charitable arm of a major corporation.
The facility has faced accusations regarding the unauthorized importation of certain animals. These allegations led to closer monitoring by authorities in the European Union and Germany.
Although non-profit organizations raised concerns, government investigators, acting under the country’s Supreme Court directive, cleared the sanctuary of any wrongdoing in September.
The operators of the facility have consistently asserted their full compliance with all relevant regulations.
Nevertheless, the Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) released a report following a September visit. That document explicitly asked India to review its current import procedures.2
India Labels Measures as “Disproportionate”
The CITES report identified several critical issues. It pointed out discrepancies between the trade data provided by the importer and the exporter.
It also flagged inadequate verification of the original sources (provenance) of some animal acquisitions.
In a submission to CITES dated November 10, India formally opposed any potential sanctions. The government claimed that applying any restrictive or punitive measure at this stage lacks legal grounds.
It warned that such action could destabilize the entire CITES framework. The government labeled the suggestion “premature and disproportionate.”
The Indian government argued that the wildlife body’s suggested changes “would constitute a de facto suspension or moratorium on lawful” trade. The official submission suggests ongoing conflict over the sanctuary’s animal purchases.
New Monitoring Protocols Implemented
CITES did acknowledge the sanctuary operates facilities possessing “exceptionally high standards.” Still, the body recommended that India temporarily stop issuing new import permits for endangered species until internal monitoring is strengthened.
CITES cautioned that without rigorous verification, animals originating from the wild could be falsely declared as captive-bred.
India refuted these concerns. The government asserted it “has strengthened inspection and reporting mechanisms for all recognized zoos and rescue facilities,” which includes the sanctuary in question. It also confirmed that the Central Zoo Authority received a directive to enhance due diligence for all future acquisitions.
The sanctuary reports that its grounds house nearly 2,000 species. This total includes exotic animals such as cheetahs, tigers, snakes, giraffes, and chimpanzees, which were imported from regions including South Africa, Venezuela, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The paperwork listed the shipment value at $9million. The sanctuary explained this figure only covered insurance and freight charges, not the cost of the animals themselves. India maintained that Supreme Court findings confirmed all imports adhered strictly to regulations.
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