Wildlife Conservationist mourn death of Ajay Desai the 'elephant man' who stood firm for wildlife issues
Coimbatore: A pioneer in the study of elephant movements using radio collar and a consultant to few State governments relating to elephant translocation and issues of rampaging agricultural lands, Ajay Desai, Field biologist and wildlife conservation expert passed away in Belagavi, on Thursday night.
The 62-year-old who is fondly referred as the 'elephant man' reportedly passed away on Thursday night after he suffered a heart attack in his sleep. Ajay Desai is survived by his wife and two children.
Regarded as a highly resourceful person in terms of track formation and herd leadership of elephants, he has spent decades researching specific behaviour of Asiatic elephants. Till date, he is a consultant to World Wildlife Fund and various State governments in resolving man-animal conflicts.
A pioneer in the study of elephant movements using radio collar, Ajay Desai spent years studying elephant behaviour at Mudumalai tiger reserve and in Sri Lanka. He also served as chairman of the elephant expert committee of the International Union of Conservation of Nature.
His studies has dealt problems such as elephants rampaging agricultural fields and Man-Animal conflict. He vociferously stated that deforestation, destruction and encroachments inwildlife habitations have changed the behavioural pattern of the pachyderms,forcing them to trespass into villages and residential areas in search of food and water.
Contributions to Coimbatore forest range
Known for his holistic approach towards conserving nature and wildlife, Ajay Desai was consulted by the Tamil Nadu State government during the translocation of Vinayagan and Chinnathambi, the two elephants which grabbed the attention of the entire state. The elephants were translocated from Coimbatore's Thadagam Valley to Topslip.
During the translocation, Ajay Desai told SimpliCity that "Translocation of elephants aren't easy and permanent solutions. They are very complicated and life-threatening for the animal. However, the fact that elephant movement triggers panic amid the people, it needs to be addressed. However, we should be mindful to strike a balance and follow a realistic approach. A crop raiding elephant will not change its behaviour even if translocated", he told Simplicity.
Citing 77 human deaths in Coimbatore forest division due to elephant deaths, between 2011-19, the veteran conservationist proposed long term and short term plans to combat the issue to the High Court. He also pointed the need to clear encroachments along elephant corridors in Coimbatore region which attributes largely of elephant infiltration into agricultural lands and residential areas.
Wildlife conservationalist across the nation are mourning his demise and opined that his passing is a great loss to the cause of wildlife conservation. His monumental contribution and in-depth knowledge on elephant conversation was unfathomable, they commend.
The 62-year-old who is fondly referred as the 'elephant man' reportedly passed away on Thursday night after he suffered a heart attack in his sleep. Ajay Desai is survived by his wife and two children.
Regarded as a highly resourceful person in terms of track formation and herd leadership of elephants, he has spent decades researching specific behaviour of Asiatic elephants. Till date, he is a consultant to World Wildlife Fund and various State governments in resolving man-animal conflicts.
A pioneer in the study of elephant movements using radio collar, Ajay Desai spent years studying elephant behaviour at Mudumalai tiger reserve and in Sri Lanka. He also served as chairman of the elephant expert committee of the International Union of Conservation of Nature.
His studies has dealt problems such as elephants rampaging agricultural fields and Man-Animal conflict. He vociferously stated that deforestation, destruction and encroachments inwildlife habitations have changed the behavioural pattern of the pachyderms,forcing them to trespass into villages and residential areas in search of food and water.
Contributions to Coimbatore forest range
Known for his holistic approach towards conserving nature and wildlife, Ajay Desai was consulted by the Tamil Nadu State government during the translocation of Vinayagan and Chinnathambi, the two elephants which grabbed the attention of the entire state. The elephants were translocated from Coimbatore's Thadagam Valley to Topslip.
During the translocation, Ajay Desai told SimpliCity that "Translocation of elephants aren't easy and permanent solutions. They are very complicated and life-threatening for the animal. However, the fact that elephant movement triggers panic amid the people, it needs to be addressed. However, we should be mindful to strike a balance and follow a realistic approach. A crop raiding elephant will not change its behaviour even if translocated", he told Simplicity.
Citing 77 human deaths in Coimbatore forest division due to elephant deaths, between 2011-19, the veteran conservationist proposed long term and short term plans to combat the issue to the High Court. He also pointed the need to clear encroachments along elephant corridors in Coimbatore region which attributes largely of elephant infiltration into agricultural lands and residential areas.
Wildlife conservationalist across the nation are mourning his demise and opined that his passing is a great loss to the cause of wildlife conservation. His monumental contribution and in-depth knowledge on elephant conversation was unfathomable, they commend.