Anant Ambani Gets Global Humane Award, Joining Past Recipients Bill Clinton And Betty White

Vantara founder Anant Ambani, who was conferred the ‘Global Humanitarian Award for Animal Welfare’ by the Global Humane Society, is not only the youngest and first Asian to receive this award but he now joins a list of distinguished past recipients – from US Presidents John F Kennedy and Bill Clinton to Hollywood legend Betty White.

By receiving this significant award for his visionary conservation centre Vantara, Ambani joins a tradition that honours commitment to conservation, advocacy, and animal protection on a global scale.

The Global Humane Society’s (GHS) recognition encompasses leadership from politics, culture, and science.

Former President Bill Clinton, a ‘Global Conservation Awardee’, was recognised for his global environmental advocacy,

particularly for championing the International Dolphin Conservation Act that fundamentally transformed marine safety and global tuna-fishing protocols. Similarly, President George HW Bush was named a ‘Humanitarian Laureate’ for his specific commitment to advancing legislation ensuring military working dogs are treated with the dignity accorded to retired veterans. William Howard Taft holds a singular place in GHS history as the only American President to serve as a formal officer, holding the rank of vice-president of American Humane during his transition from the presidency.

In the realm of cultural advocacy and conservation science, the honourees are equally distinguished. Perhaps the most beloved laureate, Betty White, maintained a 70-year partnership with GHS as a board medallist and the organisation’s most visible advocate for animal rescue. Scientific achievements are also deeply valued, with recent winners like Dr Arnaud Desbiez (2024 winner) being recognised for his transformative work in rewilding the giant armadillo in the Brazilian Pantanal.

The society ensures that leadership in animal protection, whether through executive policy, philanthropy, or groundbreaking research, is celebrated.

WHO ARE THE DISTINGUISHED PAST RECIPIENTS?

The distinguished recipients honoured by GHS include:

• President John F Kennedy
• President Bill Clinton (Global Conservation Awardee): Recognised for championing the International Dolphin Conservation Act
• President George HW Bush (Humanitarian Laureate): Recognised for advancing legislation for military working dogs
• President William Howard Taft (Awarded Officer): Served as vice-president of American Humane
• Actress and comedian Betty White (Board Medallist): Maintained a 70-year partnership and served as the organisation’s most visible advocate for animal rescue.
• Lois Pope (Visionary Awardee): The American philanthropist was awarded for philanthropic leadership in funding high-tech mobile rescue units.
• Candy Spelling (Global Humanitarian Honouree): The American author was honoured for executive leadership and expanding rewilding programmes across Africa and South America.
• Dr Jon Paul Rodríguez (2022 Inaugural Awardee): The renowned biologist and conservationist was honoured for global leadership focusing on the restoration of decimated habitats.
• Dr Arnaud Desbiez (2024 Winner): The Brazilian conservationist was aAwarded for transformative work in rewilding the giant armadillo.
• Dr Kathleen Dudzinski (2025 Winner): The scientist was recognised for 30-year research proving dolphin welfare is linked to cognitive social stimulation.

WHAT IS THE GLOBAL HUMANE SOCIETY?

The Global Humane Society (GHS) is the international brand of American Humane Society, which is the first national humane organisation in the US and the world’s largest certifier of animal welfare.

The GHS stands as the scientific guardian for animal welfare, operating across 59 countries and protecting over 1.5 billion animals annually. For nearly 150 years, it has been at the forefront of virtually every major advancement in the humane movement to rescue, care for and protect animals.

Through rigorous, science-based certifications and high-stakes diplomatic advocacy, GHS effectively bridges the gap between on-the-ground rescue efforts and global policy. Its mission ensures that ethics, transparency, and data govern the human-animal bond.

GHS manages several high-impact certification programmes:

• No Animals Were Harmed®: This functions as the gold standard for animal safety in global film and media production.
• Humane Conservation™: This is the world’s first global certification programme dedicated to animal welfare in zoos and aquariums.
• Global humane farming: A data-driven programme overseeing ethical treatment within the global agricultural food supply.

The organisation is led by president and CEO Dr Robin Ganzert, who is also the executive producer of the award-winning documentary Escape from Extinction and the annual American Humane Hero Dog Awards.