At HKAN 2026 Commemoration, Faunaland and Vantara Strengthen Wildlife Conservation Commitment
The commitment to wildlife conservation and protection in Indonesia is being further strengthened through collaboration between Vantara from India and Faunaland Indonesia. In the series of events commemorating National Nature Conservation Day (HKAN) 2026, Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni gave special appreciation to Danny Gunalen, CEO of Faunaland, and Sir Ajit Kulkarni, CEO of Vantara, for their contributions and commitment to supporting wildlife conservation efforts in Indonesia.
The appreciation is a form of recognition of Faunaland and Vantara’s contributions to strengthening biodiversity protection efforts, particularly through capacity development, animal health services, and support for wildlife conservation in Indonesia.
Danny stated that the appreciation from the Ministry of Forestry serves as an encouragement for Faunaland to continue strengthening its role in supporting conservation efforts in Indonesia.
“We thank the Ministry of Forestry for this appreciation. For us, this appreciation is not only recognition of what has been done, but also an encouragement to continue strengthening collaboration in protecting Indonesia’s wildlife and biodiversity,” Danny said yesterday.
According to Danny, Vantara is a large-scale wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and conservation centre based in Jamnagar, India, founded by Shri Anant Ambani. This experience is reinforced through the development of science, research, and education, including through Vantara University, which was inaugurated in April 2026. For Faunaland, the collaboration is part of its commitment to continue strengthening conservation capacity in Indonesia while building networks with international conservation institutions.
“We believe conservation cannot be done alone. It requires joint efforts, knowledge exchange, and technological and expertise support so that wildlife protection efforts in Indonesia become stronger and more sustainable,” he said.
Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni previously emphasised the importance of multi-party collaboration in strengthening conservation efforts in Indonesia. The theme of HKAN 2026, “Nature Conservation: Working Together to Care for Indonesia’s Nature,” also underscores the importance of involving the government, businesses, conservation institutions, communities, and international partners in safeguarding Indonesia’s natural wealth.
One form of Vantara’s contribution to conservation efforts in Indonesia is the provision of five Vantara Animal Ambulance units. These specialised animal ambulances are designed to evacuate wildlife and provide initial medical treatment, particularly for elephants. The vehicles are equipped with special facilities to support medical treatment and the work of veterinary teams in the field.
“This support is expected to strengthen Indonesia’s capacity to respond to emergency situations involving wildlife, especially in remote and hard-to-reach areas,” he explained.
In addition to providing animal ambulances, Vantara will also support Indonesia’s efforts to prevent the threat of Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus (EEHV) in Sumatran elephants through the provision of EEHV vaccines as a preventive measure.
Vantara’s collaboration with Indonesia in the field of elephant health is not new. At the end of 2025, the Ministry of Forestry had already worked with Vantara to conduct health examinations and preventive measures against the threat of EEHV in Sumatran elephants. A team of elephant specialist veterinarians from Vantara has also conducted initial examinations and studied the health and welfare conditions of elephants in Indonesia.
Efforts to improve the health and welfare of animals at Bandung Zoo continue to be strengthened through cross-institutional collaboration.
A team of elephant specialist doctors from India has conducted initial diagnoses and studied the health and welfare conditions of the elephants.