- Former CITES Secretary-General John E. Scanlon AO named inaugural independent Chair of newly constituted Governing Council
- Five-member apex body gets final say on animal acquisitions as Vantara strengthens due diligence, welfare and conservation oversight
- From rescue to restoration: Global wildlife expert to steer Vantara’s governance reset and expanding conservation ambitions
NE ENVIRONMENT & CONSERVATION BUREAU
JAMNAGAR, AUG 21
Vantara has moved to place global conservation expertise at the heart of its governance architecture, appointing internationally renowned wildlife conservationist and former CITES Secretary-General John E. Scanlon AO as the inaugural independent Chair of its newly established five-member Governing Council.
The appointment marks a significant step in Vantara’s stated efforts to strengthen its internal due diligence, governance, expertise and operational processes, with the Governing Council serving as the apex body responsible for oversight of its conservation, animal care and rehabilitation and compliance activities.
Importantly, the Council will have final authority over every decision to acquire an animal, placing independent oversight at the centre of Vantara’s future animal acquisition framework.
Scanlon, who brings decades of experience spanning wildlife conservation, environmental protection and sustainable development across governments, international institutions, the United Nations, private sector and not-for-profit organisations, has been engaged as an independent adviser in carrying out his responsibilities as Chair.
“Vantara has sought, obtained, and acted upon external advice as it takes bold steps to reset its operations. In making this reset, it has decided to voluntarily strengthen its internal due diligence governance, expertise and processes, and to pivot from ex situ rescue towards providing in situ support to countries, including in India,” said Scanlon.
He added: “As Vantara grows and embeds these changes into its daily operations, it will have an ever-increasing global influence on advancing animal welfare, wildlife conservation and harmonious co-existence. I look forward to helping Vantara deliver on its reset and to making a lasting, transformative impact.”
Independent review paves way for governance reset
Scanlon’s association with Vantara began in April this year, when he was approached to undertake an independent assessment of Vantara and provide recommendations.
He was engaged on terms designed to ensure his complete independence from Vantara. Following several extensive visits, he submitted his independent report and recommendations.
Vantara subsequently committed to implementing his recommendations in full. Scanlon was then invited to undertake further roles in an independent capacity to assist with implementation and provide broader guidance and support.
His appointment as Chair of the Governing Council formalises that continuing independent role at the highest level of Vantara’s governance structure.
A global conservation veteran at the helm
A lawyer by training, Scanlon has worked across every continent and across multiple sectors in the fields of environmental protection, nature conservation and sustainable development.
He previously served as Secretary-General of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in Geneva and as Principal Policy Advisor with the UN Environment Programme in Nairobi.
His extensive international experience also includes serving as Director of the Environmental Law Centre of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in Bonn, Trustee of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in London and Chair of the Global Initiative to End Wildlife Crime.
His other leadership positions have included Chair of the UK Government’s Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund Advisory Group, Executive President of the International Council of Environmental Law, Strategic Advisor to the World Commission on Dams, CEO of South Australia’s Department for Environment, Heritage and Aboriginal Affairs, Chair of the Environment Protection Authority in Sydney and Commissioner of the Murray-Darling Basin Commission in Canberra.
Honours for a lifetime of wildlife leadership
Scanlon’s contribution to wildlife conservation and environmental protection has earned him several international honours.
In 2019, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished service to wildlife conservation and protection through his work with international organisations.
His other honours include the Adelaide University Distinguished Alumni Award, the Chinese Government Friendship Award, the Financial Crime Fighter of the Year Award and the UNEP Baobab Award for Innovation.
His appointment comes as Vantara seeks to deepen its conservation role while strengthening the systems and safeguards underpinning its animal welfare, rehabilitation and acquisition activities.
The creation of an independent Governing Council, led by a globally recognised conservation expert, is positioned as a key component of that broader transformation — with Vantara signalling a shift towards stronger governance, greater due diligence and an increased focus on in-situ conservation support.
