Ajith Kumar (1952–March 1, 2025) was an Indian
wildlife biologist and
conservationist well known for his contributions to the ecology and conservation of
primates such as the
endangered
An endangered species is a species that is very likely to become extinct in the near future, either worldwide or in a particular political jurisdiction. Endangered species may be at risk due to factors such as habitat loss, poaching, inv ...
lion-tailed macaque, and
small mammals, with a career spanning over four decades of research, teaching and conservation. His work contributed significantly to the understanding of rainforest ecology, habitat fragmentation, and species conservation. Along with
Ullas Karanth and other collaborators, he was instrumental in establishing a Masters course in wildlife biology and conservation at the
National Centre for Biological Sciences,
serving as the founding course director from its inception in 2004 till 2020. His early field notes and works have been archived
in the NCBS Archives initiative, a public collecting centre for the history of science in contemporary India.
He served as a member of the
IUCN
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is an international organization working in the field of nature conservation and sustainable use of natural resources. Founded in 1948, IUCN has become the global authority on the status ...
Primate Specialist Group which aims to "promote research on the ecology and conservation of hundreds of primate species".
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kumar, Ajith
1952 births
2025 deaths
Indian conservationists