Vantara’s Story of Fynn-tastic Recovery: How Saltwater Crocodile Was Treated for Cheek Injury

Saltwater crocodiles, just like Fynn at Anant Ambani’s Vantara, tend to be territorial and less tolerant of others. During a fierce scuffle for a basking spot, Fynn sustained a severe injury to his left cheek, leaving him vulnerable to infection and further attacks from his peers.

Caretakers at the crocodile sanctuary noticed Fynn’s distress and took immediate action. They carefully captured him and brought him to a secure area for treatment. Upon examination, veterinarians discovered the seriousness of Fynn’s wounds, which exposed his musculature and glands. They cleaned and flushed the affected areas before meticulously suturing the wounds under local anaesthesia.

Following the procedure, Fynn received long-acting antibiotics to prevent infection and pain management to ensure his comfort during recovery. After weeks of rest and observation, Fynn made a remarkable recovery, with his wounds fully healed and ready to return to his enclosure. With a gentle nudge, Fynn slid back into the water, grateful for the care he had received. Fynn’s journey serves as a testament to the dedication of those who work tirelessly to ensure the well-being of animals.

There are many such stories at Vantara (Star of the Forest) programme, an umbrella initiative to focus on rescue, treatment, care and rehabilitation of injured, abused and threatened animals, both in India and abroad, launched by Reliance Industries and Reliance Foundation on Monday.

The brainchild of Ambani, Director on the boards of RIL and Reliance Foundation, Vantara is spread over 3,000 acres within the Green Belt of Reliance’s Jamnagar Refinery Complex in Gujarat. It houses a Centre for Elephants with state-of-the-art shelters, scientifically designed day-and-night enclosures, hydrotherapy pools, water bodies and a large elephant jacuzzi for treating arthritis in elephants.

For other wild animals that have been deployed in circuses or congested zoos, a 650-acre Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre has been created, where animals from distressed and dangerous environments from India and all over the world are rescued and housed in state-of-the-art large enclosures and shelters.

Jamnagar, which houses Vantara, will also host the three-day pre-wedding bash for Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant from March 1 to 3.