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A new Mongabay investigation reveals that Vantara, the private Indian zoo run by Anant Ambani, has engaged U.K. lobbyists with strong ties to European pro-hunting organizations and the Trump administration. Lobbyist Tristan Breijer of Checkmate Government Relations, who has represented European hunting associations, organized a private roundtable for Vantara on the sidelines of a recent CITES meeting in Geneva. Checkmate was founded by a close hunting associate of Donald Trump Jr., and its client list includes Reliance Industries, the oil and gas giant owned by the Ambani family. The lobbying efforts come as CITES scrutinizes the origins of some of the endangered animals imported by Vantara. India is expected to report to the CITES Standing Committee in November on the due diligence and oversight of its wildlife import processes. Conservationists point out that hiring commercial lobbying firms tied to trophy hunting raises critical credibility questions for an institution that claims to operate purely as an animal rescue facility. Read the full report on the network of political connections and lobbying activities surrounding Vantara. 👉 https://t.co/6RvTSeaAMi