Nagaland: Global Humane Society honors Anant Ambani

Global Humane Society, the international arm of the American Humane Society, has honored Anant Ambani, founder of the wildlife conservation initiative Vantara, with the Global Humanitarian Award for Animal Welfare. Ambani is the youngest recipient in the award’s history and the first Asian to receive the distinction.
The award was presented at an international gathering of leading conservationists and animal welfare experts. The Global Humane Society said Ambani was selected for his leadership in evidence-based animal care, science-led conservation initiatives and sustained efforts to protect threatened species. The award recognizes individuals whose work has created transformative global impact for both animals and people.
Vantara, the conservation center established by Ambani, has been credited with redefining large-scale rescue, rehabilitation and species preservation. Earlier this year, it earned the Global Humane Certified™ designation after a comprehensive independent audit evaluating welfare standards across nutrition, veterinary care, enrichment, environmental quality, staff training and opportunities for natural behaviour.
President and CEO of the Global Humane Society, Dr. Robin Ganzert, described Ambani as a “new global standard for compassion in action,” adding that Vantara “is more than a rescue center—it is a sanctuary of healing whose ambition and scale set a new benchmark for modern animal welfare.”
In his acceptance remarks, Ambani said the honor reaffirms the principle of sarva bhuta hita, or the wellbeing of all beings. “Animals teach us balance, humility and trust. Through Vantara, our purpose is to give every life dignity, care and hope, guided by the spirit of seva. Conservation is not for tomorrow; it is a shared dharma we must uphold today,” he said.
Past recipients of the Global Humanitarian Award include Hollywood icons such as Shirley MacLaine, John Wayne and Betty White, as well as U.S. Presidents John F. Kennedy and Bill Clinton—underscoring the award’s history of recognizing leaders whose influence has reshaped animal welfare.
The ceremony drew participation from prominent voices in the global conservation community, including former IUCN Species Survival Commission Chair Dr. Jon Paul Rodríguez; Matt James of Colossal Biosciences; leaders of major U.S. zoos such as Zoo Knoxville, Columbus Zoo and Brookfield Zoo Chicago; and Indian experts including Dr. Neelam Khaire, Dr. V.B. Prakash and Dr. K.K. Sarma.
Founded in 1877, the American Humane Society is the United States’ first national humane organization and today serves as the world’s largest certifier of animal welfare. Through its Global Humane Certified™ programs and other initiatives, the organization works to verify humane treatment for more than a billion animals worldwide.