Bricklane News-
Investigators have found no evidence linking India’s prominent Ambani family to the theft and trafficking of endangered ring-tailed lemurs from Bangladesh. Similarly, no evidence has emerged establishing the involvement of Vantara, the wildlife rescue, conservation and rehabilitation centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat, in the alleged trafficking operation.
At the current stage of the investigation, authorities are focusing on individuals suspected of carrying out the theft and trafficking, treating their alleged criminal activities separately from the subsequent arrival of the animals at the Indian wildlife facility.
Three ring-tailed lemurs were stolen from Gazipur Safari Park in March 2025. One was subsequently recovered from a residential property in Dhaka, while the remaining two were reportedly smuggled into India.
Police and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) identified eight individuals in connection with the case, six of whom have been arrested. Five of the arrested individuals reportedly made confessional statements before a court.
According to the CID investigation, the two missing lemurs were taken from Bangladesh and trafficked to India for sale. After investigators traced the animals to Vantara in Jamnagar, Gujarat, efforts were initiated to establish whether they were the same lemurs stolen from Gazipur Safari Park.
DNA profiling and scientific identification subsequently became central to the investigation. However, the process has encountered complications because Gazipur Safari Park authorities had not preserved the original DNA profiles of the missing animals.
Several Bangladeshi media outlets had previously reported that the two trafficked lemurs were being kept at Vantara, founded by Anant Ambani, a prominent member of India’s Ambani business family. However, investigators reportedly found no evidence connecting the Ambani family to the theft or illegal trafficking of the animals.
Vantara has also rejected allegations of wrongdoing. According to the organisation, it has not received any official notice or request from an investigative agency concerning the case. The facility maintains that animals under its care are acquired in accordance with applicable Indian laws and under the supervision of relevant authorities.
Vantara has stated that it maintains documentation for the animals in its care and is prepared to present the relevant records to the appropriate authorities. The organisation has also welcomed scientific DNA testing to establish the identities of the ring-tailed lemurs under its supervision and has expressed its willingness to cooperate fully with any lawful request.
The current investigative findings suggest that the alleged criminal activities of the trafficking network