Anant Ambani honoured with global humanitarian award for leadership in wildlife conservation

Anant Ambani, founder of the wildlife conservation centre Vantara, has been honored with the Global Humanitarian Award for Animal Welfare by the Global Humane Society, making him the youngest and first Asian to receive the award.

Global Humane Society is the international arm of the American Humane Society, the oldest national humane organisation in the United States and the world’s largest certifier of animal welfare.

The award was presented at an international event that convened global leaders dedicated to wildlife protection and animal welfare, highlighting Ambani’s significant contributions to conservation efforts.

Widely regarded as one of the premier global honors in animal welfare and conservation, the award recognises Anant Ambani’s leadership in evidence-based welfare programmes, science-driven conservation initiatives, and sustained efforts to protect vulnerable species worldwide. It is reserved for individuals whose lifelong dedication has created transformative, global impact for both animals and people.

The Global Humane Society honored Ambani for his visionary leadership in founding Vantara, a conservation centre that has redefined large-scale rescue, rehabilitation, and species preservation.

His compassion, commitment, and pioneering work place him among a distinguished lineage of past recipients, shaping the future of conservation not just in India but globally.

“Vantara receiving the Global Humane Certified distinction reflected not only excellence in care, but a profound dedication to giving every animal dignity, healing and hope. And there is no greater champion of that vision than Mr. Anant Ambani, whose leadership has set a new global standard for compassion in action,” said Robin Ganzert, President and CEO of Global Humane Society.

“Vantara represents one of the most extraordinary commitments to animal welfare anywhere in the world… it is more than a rescue center, it is a sanctuary of healing. The ambition, scale, and heart behind Vantara have set a new benchmark for what modern animal welfare can look like,” she added.

Anant Ambani expressed his gratitude to the Global Humane Society for the honor.

“I thank Global Humane Society for this honor. For me, it reaffirms a timeless principle, sarva bhuta hita, the wellbeing of all beings,” said Anant Ambani.

“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 added.

The event was also attended by leading voices in global wildlife conservation, including Jon Paul Rodríguez, former Chair of the IUCN Species Survival Commission; Matt James, Chief Animal Officer at Colossal Biosciences; William Street, President and CEO of Zoo Knoxville; Thomas Schmid, President and CEO of the Columbus Zoo; Michael Adkesson, President and CEO of Brookfield Zoo Chicago; and Kathleen Dudzinski, Founder and Director of the Dolphin Communication Project.

Also in attendance were several noted Indian conservation experts, among them Neelam Khaire, VB Prakash and KK Sarma, whose work has played an important role in advancing wildlife research and conservation in India.

About Global Humane Society

Global Humane Society (GHS) is the international brand of American Humane Society, which is the United States’ first national humane organisation and the world’s largest certifier of animal welfare, helping to verify the humane treatment of more than one billion animals across the globe each year. American Humane Society has been at the forefront of virtually every major advancement in the humane movement to rescue, care for and protect animals.

For nearly 150 years, the GHS has stood as the scientific guardian for animal welfare. Operating across 59 countries, the organisation protects over 1.5 billion animals annually. Through rigorous, science-based certifications and high-stakes diplomatic advocacy, GHS bridges the gap between onthe-ground rescue and global policy. From the battlefields of World War I to modern-day climate response, it remains the unwavering sentinel for the voiceless, ensuring that ethics, transparency, and data govern the human-animal bond.

About Robin Ganzert

Robin Ganzert, Ph.D., serves as President and CEO of Global Humane Society. She
is the executive producer of the full-length, award-winning documentary, Escape from Extinction, narrated by Dame Helen Mirren, as well as the executive producer of the annual American Humane Hero Dog Awards which aired for ten years on Hallmark Channel and most recently aired on A&E and fyi networks.

Focus areas of Global Humane Society

• No animals were harmed: The gold standard for animal safety in global film
  and media production

• Humane conservation: The world’s first global certification program dedicated
  to animal welfare in zoos and aquariums

• Global Humane Farming: A data-driven program overseeing ethical treatment within the global agricultural food supply.

US presidents who have received this recognition

• William Howard Taft (Awarded Officer): Taft holds a singular place in GHS
  history as the only U.S. President to serve as a formal officer. He held the rank of Vice President of American Humane during his transition from the presidency, officialising the executive branch’s support for global welfare standards

• George H.W. Bush (Humanitarian Laureate): A formal recipient of the National
  Humanitarian Medal. President Bush was recognized for his lifetime of service
  and his specific commitment to advancing legislation that treats military working dogs with the dignity accorded to retired veterans.

• Bill Clinton (Global Conservation Awardee): Formally recognised for his Global
  Environmental Advocacy. President Clinton was awarded for his championing
  of the International Dolphin Conservation Act, which fundamentally transformed marine safety and global tuna-fishing protocols.

Other cultural leaders and Hollywood celebs who received the recognition

• •Betty White (Board Medallist): Perhaps the most beloved laureate, Betty White maintained a 70-year partnership with GHS. As a member of the Board of Directors and a recipient of the National Humanitarian Medal, she was the
  organisation’s most visible advocate for animal rescue

• Lois Pope (Visionary Awardee): Awarded for her philanthropic leadership in
  funding high-tech mobile rescue units. Her support allows GHS teams to deploy immediately to international conflict and disaster zones

• Candy Spelling (Global Humanitarian Honoree): Honored for her executive
  leadership as the Society’s Vice-Chair, Spelling received high honors for her
  efforts in expanding rewilding programs across Africa and South America.

• Dr. Jon Paul Rodríguez (2022 Inaugural Awardee): Honored for his global
  leadership as Chair of the IUCN Species Survival Commission, focusing on the
  restoration of decimated habitats

• Dr. Arnaud Desbiez (2024 Winner): Awarded for his transformative work in
  rewilding the Giant Armadillo in the Brazilian Pantanal, effectively halting the
  localized extinction of the species

• Dr. Kathleen Dudzinski (2025 Winner): The current laureate, recognized for her
  30-year comparative research in marine communication, proving that dolphin
  welfare is linked directly to cognitive social stimulation.