Guwahati, Sept. 25 -- More than two dozen international wildlife conservation and animal welfare organisations have urged Vantara, the private zoo funded by Reliance Industries in Jamnagar, Gujarat, to permanently end wild animal imports and strengthen safeguards around the acquisition of animals.

In an open letter dated September 22, the organisations also called for greater transparency, independent oversight and stricter due diligence in all matters related to animal acquisitions.

The letter was released by Germany-based Pro Wildlife on behalf of 27 international animal welfare and conservation organisations, including the Jane Goodall Institute Global, Animal Welfare Institute and organisations based in Africa. It was addressed to A...