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Ambani family plan to build world’s largest zoo in India

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The Ambanis, the richest family in India, are planning to build the world’s largest zoo and animal sanctuary in Jamnagar, Gujarat.

The Ambanis, a billionaire family that owns the $168bn Reliance Industries, plans to develop a 280-acre zoo and animal sanctuary in Jamnagar, India.

The attraction would be called Greens Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Kingdom, reports The Week Magazine (via Business Insider).

Mukesh Ambani, who is worth $79bn, is the owner of Reliance Industries. The zoo is the ‘pet project’ of his son, Anant Ambani.

The Ambanis own $168bn Reliance Industries

Greens Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Kingdom would feature nearly 100 species of animals, birds and reptiles from across the world.

These include African lions, pygmy hippo, Bengal tigers and Komodo dragons. The animals will reside in different areas, including Frog House, Dragon’s Land, Aquatic Kingdom, Indian Desert and Exotic Island.

Reliance Industries recently cut a deal with the Assam State Zoo in Guwahati to acquire two rare black panthers, in exchange for four zebra from Israel.

However, activists have criticised the move and protested the panther transfer in front of the Assam State Zoo on Sunday (February 21), according to Telegraph India.

Protests take place at Assam State Zoo

“It seems that even wild animals kept in captivity in zoos cannot escape from the tentacles of big corporate houses as the recent ‘hush-hush’ transfer of two black panthers from the State Zoo in Guwahati to a zoo in Gujarat being set up by the Reliance group of the Ambanis has proved,” said Bobbeeta Sharma, leader of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee.

Elsewhere, Puthur Zoological Park’s first phase has been inaugurated following an investment of ₹360 crore ($49m) in Thrissur, Kerala, India.

The Greens Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Kingdom is expected to open in 2023.

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Bea Mitchell

Bea is a journalist specialising in entertainment, attractions and tech with 10 years' experience. She has written and edited for publications including CNET, BuzzFeed, Digital Spy, Evening Standard and BBC. Bea graduated from King's College London and has an MA in journalism.

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