Dr. Ajith Kumar, a distinguished wildlife biologist, mentor, and educator, dedicated his life to the study and conservation of India’s biodiversity. His research and leadership over four decades shaped the landscape of wildlife science in the country, particularly through his work on primates and small carnivores, as well as his instrumental role in training future conservationists.
Kumar began his career as a primatologist, conducting pioneering research on the endangered lion-tailed macaque in the Anamalai Hills. His findings underscored the importance of large, contiguous forest habitats for the species’ survival, contributing to a broader understanding of rainforest conservation in the Western Ghats. Over time, his research expanded to encompass small carnivores and forest ecology, offering critical insights into India’s rapidly changing landscapes.
His greatest legacy, however, may lie in education. In 2003, he was invited by Dr. K. Ullas Karanth to lead the newly established Master’s Program in Wildlife Biology and Conservation, a collaboration between the Centre for Wildlife Studies and the National Centre for Biological Sciences. Over the next 16 years, he built the program into one of India’s foremost training grounds for wildlife scientists. “The program fostered a new generation of wildlife biologists with critical thinking skills, and a fundamental understanding of wildlife biology and ecology and the implications of that for conservation,” he once reflected. His vision ensured that graduates were not only well-versed in scientific research but also prepared to tackle the pressing conservation challenges facing India.
Beyond academia, Dr. Kumar played an advisory role in multiple institutions, including the Wildlife Institute of India and the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History. His contributions extended beyond research to practical conservation efforts, influencing policy and field practices that have shaped conservation strategies across India.
His colleagues and students remember him as a dedicated mentor who invested deeply in the success of those he taught.
“He was an incredible mentor and wildlife uncle to me,” wrote Dr. Krithi Karanth, Chief Conservation Scientist at the Centre for Wildlife Studies. “His incredible field insights and boundless energy guided me through my graduate studies.”
His ability to nurture young talent ensured that his impact would persist well beyond his own career.
Ajith Kumar’s passing is an immense loss to the conservation community. But as his former students and colleagues reflect on his legacy, they recognize the enduring strength of the networks he built and the knowledge he imparted.
“He passed away like he lived, with his boots on,” wrote Vivek Menon, the founder and executive director of Wildlife Trust of India, “What I would like to remember of Ajith is a kind man who shared all he had with those around him; his innate wisdom, his explosive laughter, his gentle ribbing, his love of good food and drink. And between bouts of all that a fierce passion for science and a yearning for exploring all that nature has yet to reveal to us.”
His friends and colleagues believe his contributions will endure, shaping the future of conservation in India through the many he inspired.
