~Vantara appoints former CITES Secretary-General John E. Scanlon AO as independent Chair of its five-member Governing Council to oversee conservation, animal welfare and compliance.
Jamnagar, Gujarat, Aug 21 (VNI): Vantara has appointed former CITES Secretary-General John E. Scanlon AO as the inaugural Independent Chair of its newly established five-member Governing Council, which will oversee the organisation’s conservation, animal care and rehabilitation, and compliance activities.
The Governing Council will have overall responsibility for Vantara’s key conservation and animal welfare activities, including final authority over every decision to acquire an animal. Mr Scanlon said Vantara had sought and acted upon external advice as part of a reset of its operations, including strengthening internal due diligence, governance, expertise and processes.
Mr Scanlon said Vantara was also pivoting from an ex situ rescue approach towards providing in situ support to countries, including India. He said the changes would help Vantara strengthen its global contribution to animal welfare, wildlife conservation and harmonious coexistence.
Mr Scanlon was first approached by Vantara in April 2026 to provide an independent report and recommendations. He was engaged under terms ensuring his complete independence from Vantara and, following extensive visits, submitted his report and recommendations. Vantara subsequently committed to implementing his recommendations in full and invited him to assist with their implementation and provide broader guidance.
A lawyer by training, Mr Scanlon has worked across every continent and across the private sector, governments, the United Nations, international institutions and not-for-profit organisations. He previously served as Secretary-General of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and has held senior roles with the UN Environment Programme, IUCN and other international organisations. In 2019, he was awarded the Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished service to wildlife conservation and protection. VNI NEWS, Vantara, John E Scanlon AO, CITES Secretary-General, Vantara Governing Council, wildlife conservation, animal welfare, animal rehabilitation, John E Scanlon, CITES, Animal Welfare, Jamnagar, Gujarat, VNINews, VNINews.com