Kinshasa, November 12, 2025 – An investigation by the 30 Million Friends Foundation has shed light on what could be the largest wildlife trafficking operation of all time, involving the export of chimpanzees and other protected animals from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and other countries to a massive zoo in India, the Vantara complex. The original publication is available here.
According to the investigation, in early 2025, several young chimpanzees housed in Congolese sanctuaries were transferred to the Kinshasa zoo before being exported to India. These transfers were carried out “in complete opacity,” raising serious questions about compliance with animal protection and welfare standards. The 30 Million Friends Foundation, in their article, reported having alerted the Congolese Minister of Environment, Eve Bazaiba, as early as February 2025, urging the abandonment of the project and the protection of the facilities hosting animals rescued from trafficking.
The Vantara complex, owned by Anant Ambani, son of billionaire Mukesh Ambani, comprises the Green’s Zoological Rescue & Rehabilitation Center and the Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust, on a 1,400-hectare site located within the premises of the world’s largest oil refinery. Marketed as a refuge for animals in distress, it reportedly hosted over 50,000 animals from more than 800 species since 2022, many of which are threatened and protected under CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora).
Analysis of global customs data reveals massive import volumes suspected of violating international law. Several African and European countries, as well as the Middle East and Southeast Asia, are involved in these exports, with the DRC playing a central role, particularly for dozens of iconic primates, including chimpanzees. Ofir Drori, founder of the EAGLE network, denounces “massive exports carried out in secret, exploiting loopholes in CITES and under the pretext that the species were bred in captivity.”
The data also show inconsistencies between declared exports and actual imports, casting doubt on the true origin of these animals and the possibility of illegal removals from the wild. Even species considered of “least concern” by the IUCN have been transferred in large numbers, while the zoo claims to host only rescued animals.
CITES itself confirmed, in a report dated October 31, 2025, that the traceability of animals imported by Vantara had “significant gaps,” and recommended that India and the exporting countries strengthen controls to prevent any trafficking.
In the DRC, this case has reignited debate over the role of authorities and the ICCN in protecting primates and wildlife, particularly regarding exports to foreign facilities. The 30 Million Friends Foundation is calling for an international investigation and rigorous monitoring of exports to prevent these practices from endangering the survival of threatened species.
As Reha Hutin, President of the Foundation, emphasizes: “Conservation efforts put in place by some must no longer be undermined every day by those who see nature merely as a resource for their personal gain.”
This revelation should prompt the DRC to strengthen its control mechanisms and the traceability of protected animals, while coordinating with international partners to ensure compliance with global conventions.
By Kilalopress