Fellows
2022-23

Kritika P
Hi, I am P. Kritika. I have done my Masters in Zoology from J.C. Bose University of Science and Technology. I have a keen interest in wildlife and enjoy studying it. Growing up in a metropolitan city I didn’t have much exposure to wildlife yet I enjoy the few encounters I used to have while visiting my native place during summer vacations. I am new in the conservation field and have yet to understand its dynamics. My favorite subjects include vertebrate physiology and anatomy, and evolutionary biology, especially the geological time scale. I love visiting hill stations and star gazing from up there. In my leisure time, I like reading thriller novels and manga (comics), baking, and sometimes painting. I am very much fond of music and going on long strolls.

Lakshmi Ravinder Nair
As we face an environmental crisis of huge proportions, I want to be closer to the solution, rather than the problem. I would like to understand the workings of the natural environment, the work that is ongoing to protect vulnerable species and habitats, and the individuals and communities behind the work. I work in a Sustainability Reporting role and I am on a personal quest to comprehend issues of sustainability from the corporate world and the natural world. My educational background is in Marketing and Communications and Finance. I enjoy new experiences, picking out clever phrases while reading, daydreaming while traveling, and having real conversations with fictional characters.

Melito Prinson Pinto
I’m Melito Prinson Pinto, a Masters in Wildlife and Management from Kuvempu University. My journey into the world of wildlife began through my interest in birds. Their diversity in colors and calls made me want to know more about them, thus creating a deep passion towards ornithology. I’m an avid birder who likes to explore the bird diversity in plantation landscapes. I’m more inclined towards bioacoustics, eager to know what each call or a song means. I have interned with Holematthi Nature Foundation on monitoring of peafowl in and around the protected areas of Karnataka. It is during this time that I learned that even the common species need monitoring. My hobbies include sketching and illustration, playing musical instruments such as piano, and playing chess. I also like to engage with children and spread awareness about birds.

Pooja Ramdas Patil
From a very young age I enjoyed being in the lap of nature, thanks to my father who used to take the family out every weekend. Every living being in nature always fascinated me and I wanted to explore wildlife. I did my Bachelor's and Master's in Zoology. Animal systematics, entomology, biodiversity, ecology, are the subjects that interest me. For me the Ram Hattikudur Advanced Training in Conservation course is something huge that I can't explain in words! I am keen to overcome the knowledge gap between theory and practical work and pursue my career in the subject I love – Wildlife! My interest is in conserving endemic species, reduce human and animal conflicts in depth, tourism impact on faunal and floral diversity. My dream is to spread awareness in society and make mother Earth peaceful to live for every living being. Apart from studies I have many hobbies but most of all, I like drawing, sketching, painting, making art and crafts.

Swaathi Na
Hello, I’m Swaathi, a graduate in Zoology from Madras University. I discovered that a career in wildlife was a real possibility towards the end of my degree course, after which I interned and volunteered in a few wildlife organisations. These experiences ignited a spark in me to work towards contributing more in the field of wildlife conservation. Going forward, I would like to carry out research in ophiology and create awareness among people for peaceful coexistence with wildlife. Apart from this, I love portrait sketching, cooking & reading historical fiction and fantasy novels.

Tandrail Baruah
Coming from a culturally- and biodiversity-rich land of Assam, which is home to the famous Kaziranga National Park – a world heritage site – and many other protected areas, people and wildlife have always been close to my heart. My love for nature led me to work with WWF India Assam and Arunachal Pradesh State Office where I helped in building conservation leadership among students by enhancing knowledge and skills to adopt pro-conservation attitudes and sustainable lifestyles. Through my work, I want to build a future where people and wildlife co-exist and wildlife corridors are secured not at the cost of infrastructural development but by adopting a sustainable development plan.

Akansha Mishra
I am Akansha Mishra and I have always dreamt of being a wildlife biologist and conservationist. Being a military kid, I've always enjoyed adventure and the outdoors. I had the privilege since early childhood to be surrounded by pets in my house and frequently visited zoos and national parks. I was inspired by watching wildlife shows on Animal Planet, Discovery, National Geographic and BBC and always wanted to become a wildlife show host. However, I went abroad and pursued BBA and banking, but even with good grades, a good salary and a stable job, I could not forget wildlife. Hence I came back to India to pursue my dream in wildlife conservation and to save precious indigenous wildlife like the Ganges River Dolphin, One Horned Rhino and the Indian Pangolin and one day work under a famous nature broadcasting network. But as a first step, I'm excited to start with the course and learn about conservation. Besides my love for animals, I also enjoy Air Rifle Shooting, traveling, orating and exploring new cultures.

Aishwarya S Kumar
A wonderer wondering at the wonders of wildlife! Hi, I’m Aishwarya, a post-graduate in wildlife science. I’m a wildlife enthusiast, an admirer of psychology, and an art lover who’s in the process of bringing my passions together to explore and understand the world. An advocate of multidisciplinary studies, during my Master’s I discovered conservation psychology and learnt its scope in wildlife, and thus chose it to do my internship with WWF-India and my dissertation. My core interests lie in conservation psychology, animal behavior and conservation anthropology. When not working, I can be found trying to play my favourite song on guitar, lost in music, watching animes or engulfed in the world of books. And when outdoors, staring in awe at trees, sky and wildlife. I wish to make people aware of species not generally considered ‘popular’ or ‘charismatic’ and break the superstitions around them. To achieve this, I wish to use the power of theatre and other performing arts.

Rajib Saha
Hello, I am Rajib Saha. I was born and brought up in the Terai region of West Bengal. Here weshare our space with wildlife like elephants, leopards, gaur, snakes etc. I love nature and anything related to it be it forests, mountains and/or rivers! As I grew up I enjoyed spending my time in the forest and with the people who live around the forest area. When I was 17, I started rescuing venomous and non-venomous snakes and birds. Over4–5 years I have rescued hundreds of snakes and birds. Snake bite is a major problem in rural areas during monsoon. So, I started doing awareness sessions along with the forest department in village areas, schools and colleges. Currently, I am working in Hathi Sathi Foundation as a field assistant. Our motive is to make a safe passage for elephants in tea gardens and mitigate the human wildlife conflict within tea gardens and adjacent areas. I love to share my ideas and knowledge with others. I love cooking and traveling and I love to do wildlife photography as well.

Soham Vinita Shamkant Parnaik
I remember during my school days my dad showed me a caterpillar and told me it would turn into a butterfly. I couldn’t believe, so I brought it home. After few days it turned into pupa and then into a butterfly; it felt like magic and I became sure nature is mysterious that only reveals itself to those who care to be conscious. Now I realise my journey is like a butterfly too, wandering all around, first I did my Bachelors in Forensic Science, then completed Masters in Social Work, volunteered with different non-governmental organisations, got work experiences in field of teaching and research and currently pursuing M.A. in Animal Protection Laws, with keen interest in communicating science. Just like the butterfly has a purpose to its existence that serves its species and nature, I find meaning in my actions when I am engaged in biodiversity conservation. Building a compassionate and harmonious society is my destination.
Alumni
2021-22

Aakanksha Komanduri
I have been deeply drawn to wildlife since as far back as I can remember, and have spent most of my life’s time in some way engaging with animals including insects, birds, frogs, bigger domestic and wild animals. One of my childhood dreams of getting to know, being close to snakes came true when I joined Friends of Snakes in 2017. Over the years, I’ve spent a lot of my time rescuing and rehabilitating hundreds of snakes in Telangana. I have also regularly given lectures about the conservation of snakes and led snake awareness sessions for schools, corporates and national parks in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. As a volunteer with the Forest Department of Telangana, I worked in wildlife censuses across various national reserves and sanctuaries. This year, 2021, I received my post-graduation in Animal Protection Law from NALSAR. Other than that, I spent lockdown time mostly rescuing and looking after urban wildlife. While I have an awe for large creatures of the forest, I am equally interested in the worlds of smaller beings such as termites, spiders and ants. I feel great wonder about their complex and intricate lives, and their phenomenal role in the vast interdependent forest life. In the coming years, I hope to get opportunities to explore marine wildlife more closely, do some wildlife photography, and at some point, go herping in the Indonesian islands

Ashrita Anoop
Growing up in the Western Ghats, I was always fascinated by the marvels of nature. I graduated with a masters in Environment Science. During my work as research associate, I was involved in leopard research and conservation project in Southern Karnataka at Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF) under the Western Ghats programme which gave me more insight into wildlife research. My keen interest is in wildlife ecology, wildlife conservation, riparian ecology and the factors influencing community’s perceptions towards protected areas. Now, I manage the community-based conservation work in the beautiful landscape of MM Hills and Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuaries of Southern Karnataka. It is a programme which aims in the recovery of wildlife and wild spaces in through direct community-based interventions geared to help both people and wildlife. My greatest joys are birding, documenting biodiversity, trekking, reading biographies, collecting old coins, and also spending time with family and friends.

Arpan Joshi
Hello , I am Arpan Joshi a B.com graduate . I have been passionate about wildlife since childhood. And fortunately I got to explore this field of wildlife since I was 18 . Initially I was a bird watcher then I started rescuing non-venomous Snakes then started working on vultures and then got a golden opportunity to work with Rajasthan Forest Department where I released a Leopard with them as my first task. Then I started my journey with bats where I captured them , did research in Rajasthan , Tamil Nadu and Gujrat about them. Since the very beginning of this journey of mine I have been trying to educate local people about difference between venomous and non-venomous snakes and about how harmless Bats are and have been trying to play my role in wildlife conservation. Recently I worked with Bishnoi community in Jaisalmer , Rajasthan on Chinkara and Great Indian bustard. Along with this I am a percussionist and a music teacher too and I also love to go for trekking and hiking and I love to do wildlife photography as well.

Dhanush CS
I’m Dhanush Shetty, I’ve done my bachelors in Agricultural biotechnology and a masters in Wildlife & management. During my masters, I have worked on Elephants of the coffee land: “Human elephant conflict in coffee-based agroforestry systems of Chikmagalur, Western Ghats, India” Being born in the southern western ghats and raised in the Deccan plateau, I've always been curious to know about the mysteries that nature has in its womb. I have always been inspired by and love to work with people who strive to preserve endangered species ranging from mini mammals (Gerbils) to mega mammals (Elephants). I have my interest in conservation anthropology, creative conservation, geospatial ecology, molecular ecology, behavioural ecology, science communication, nature education and #Tech4Wildlife. I enjoy birding, herping, origami, and exploring and understanding more about the ancient stone inscriptions. I love coffee, carnatic music, mythological stories, and comics. I collect commemorative coins and postage stamps. I create illustrations, microblogs, code, and map in my spare time. To know more visit dhanushshetty.com.

Nilesh Murmu
Young nature enthusiast with a master's degree in environmental science, interested in nature and wildlife conservation. I am driven by my love for the aesthetic and emotional value that nature provides and a strong belief in harmonious coexistence between human and wildlife. I am also keen on learning how to utilise remote sensing practices to help conserve ecosystems and wildlife.Besides this, my passion is playing and creating music. I have been playing drums since the age of 15 and am currently indulged in guitars.

Shweta Madgulkar
I have lived most of my life in an urban space where life is very fast-paced. But luckily my parents are avid travellers and vacations meant a trip to some of the most beautiful places in India. All these trips exposed me to different people, different cultures and different landscapes which kindled a curiosity for the myriad connections people have with everything living and non-living around them. But when I was younger, I wasn’t aware of the scope of fields such as anthropology and wildlife conservation. It’s only during my Masters’ I learnt about how vast and complex this field is. Through the course period I became interested in learning about the relationship people share with wild animals. I explored the concepts of conflict and coexistence through understanding people’s perceptions of elephants and their interactions with the giant mammal for my Masters’ dissertation project. Armed with a Master’s degree I went on to work with The Shola Trust and later Wildlife Conservation Society-India to further explore how people and wild animals adapt to exist together and the impact of such co-occurrence. When I am not working, I am trying to catch up on my favourite shows or re-reading stories by Ruskin Bond with some comfort food. I have a new found interest in stitching and embroidery now, which I would like to use for expressing conservation ideas.

Supriya Samanta
I am Supriya Samanta, a postgraduate in Zoology from Sidho-Kanho-Birsha University, Purulia, West Bengal. I want to study the effect of climate change on various organisms. Currently I am volunteering with the Purulia Forest Department in the Ajodhya Hills to conserve this vast landscape through baseline data collection and scientific research. Some Facebook friends including me from Purulia and Bankura district of West Bengal have formed a group called ‘Green Plateau’ for conservation of biodiversity of plateau region of West Bengal. We are trying to create public awareness through a social media campaign ‘Save Ajodhya Hills’ involving every stakeholder to save this landscape with its faunal, floral, traditional diversity. Apart from this I love to travel, meet people, know their life stories and taste local food.

Trisa Bhattacharjee
Hey I'm Trisa Bhattacharjee an MSc Ecology student from Pondicherry University. I'm a wildlife enthusiast and I like studying human perceptions. I like spending my time with forest and other indigenous communities. Making Coexistence models and a database enlisting human perceptions is my ultimate aim in life. I like to study big mammals and am much scared of reptiles and amphibians. I want to someday study about the Jarawa community or the Bishnoi community and be with them. Other than this I like to debate, paint, cooking, stitching, baking and dancing. I am a National level Dancer and a State Level Debater. I can speak Hindi, Bengali, English and German. I am a socializer. Also I enjoy reading romantic and thriller novels and watching drama series.

Usha Ravindra
I am just another Harry Potter who though lived in a world of wizardry was unaware of its existence for beginning part of his life. But once he got to know about it, he was a big time fan and protector of magic. Though I lived with wildlife and am part of nature, it took me these many years to notice this world, a world of wonders, a world where common sense can lose its meaning on a lot number of occasions, a world that can freshen one’s mind with ranges of vivid blues and greens. Now, I am on my journey to explore wildlife and am yet to find out how I can contribute in conserving them through research. Understanding nature of light, how a variety of animals perceive light, (social system, foraging, migratory etc) behaviours of animals, evolution etc. are some of my keen interests. One day I would like to have my own forest, nurture it and perhaps pass it on to other muggles who at heart are nature lovers. I also want to make my own wildlife comics that are humurously responsible and also create a problems book for physics, mathematical concepts where wildlife will be used as medium for all problem statements. In my spare time, I doodle, read novels, watch (japanese animes, documentaries, swaying motion of tree branches, skies), go for nature walks and many more, but one at a time.

Vardhini Suresh
I am Vardhini Suresh. While doing my schooling in the Nilgiris I was surrounded by pristine landscapes, from lakes to forests. While I admired the beauty, I did not know and appreciate its true value until I moved to the city. While I was working at a corporate job, I realized that my true passion lies in the restoring the environment. After reading more about the current state of the environment I knew it was time for me to switch fields. I am new to this field of work. I am looking forward to learn about ecological restoration practices and about wildlife conservation. I enjoy writing, sketching landscapes and reading. I also like spending time in nature in solitude.
Mentors

Dr. Sanjay Molur, Course Director
Sanjay has been involved in conservation for close to three decades working on various aspects from theory to practical application. He is a global expert on conservation assessments and planning. He has assessed over 10,000 taxa from India, southern Asia, southeastern Asia, Africa, and South America across several taxonomic groups. Sanjay adores biodiversity with no particular affiliation to species groups, although when pushed he indicates groups he has worked on in the field — amphibians, tarantulas, rodents, bats, primates, macro fungi, and aquatic plants — as good indicators. He is passionate to work on species that require the most attention, least studied, most persecuted, and considered less charismatic. He is the Chief Editor of the monthly, international, open access, peer-reviewed, Journal of Threatened Taxa. He represents several SSC IUCN specialist groups and represents international boards such as the Alliance for Zero Extinction and the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund. The RHATC course is his brainchild base on his own experience and development from a similar training he received as an early career conservationist in the early 1990s.

Dr. Mewa Singh
Mewa Singh is an internationally acclaimed expert on ecology and animal behaviour with emphasis on non-human primates. His research has paved the way to better understand social behaviour, resource distribution strategies, ecology, demography and the impacts of habitat destruction on various threatened species. His work on the Slender Loris and the Lion-tailed Macaque brought international attention to these highly endangered but little-known species and has driven on-ground conservation action. His decades long career has seen him shine in the role of Dean at University of Mysore and is currently a Professor For Life at the University. He has mentored a generation of students, many of whom are pursuing studies of their own in the domain of animal behavior, ecology, and conservation biology. With several awards to his credit and with a vast knowledge in various fields of science Mewa is a treasure trove and a steady guiding hand for the students.

Dr. Priya Davidar
Priya is a retired Professor of Ecology from Pondicherry University. She has a Ph.D. in Zoology from Bombay University under the guidance of Dr. Salim Ali, and a S.M. in public health from Harvard University. She was a Post Doctoral fellow and later a Senior fellow at the Smithsonian Institution, USA. She is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. She was a faculty at Pondicherry University from 1987 to 2017 where she taught conservation biology, plant animal interactions and ornithology. Her research focus has been mainly on plant ecology, biogeography and conservation. She has studied the large-scale distribution of species across latitudinal and climatic gradients in the Western Ghats in order to understand the role of climate and habitat in limiting species distributions. She has worked on the distribution of forest birds and butterflies in the Andaman island archipelago, and trees distributions in the Western Ghats. The major findings are that climate; particularly rainfall seasonality and elevation limit tree distributions, whereas many birds and butterflies are limited by availability of habitat. She has also worked on the reproductive biology of plant species in forest fragments around the Pondicherry region. Her recent work has been on landscape ecology and genetics of Asian Elephant populations in the Western Ghats. She is actively involved in practical conservation and advocacy through networks of conservation organizations.

Dr. P.O. Nameer
Prof. P.O. Nameer, is Professor of Wildlife Science and Dean of College of Climate Change and Environmental Science, Kerala Agricultural University, Kerala, south India. He has done his B.Sc. in Forestry, M.Sc. in Ecology and Ph.D. in Ornithology. He has also undergone several national and international training on diverse topics such as Molecular Phylogeny, Conservation Biology, PHVA Facilitation Skills Training, Small mammal conservation, Captive Breeding and Reintroduction, Endangered Species management, Taxonomical studies on Small Mammals from the leading institutions across the globe. He is a member of several national and international conservation organisations such as South Asian coordinator, in situ, for the Conservation Planning Specialist Group, IUCN; International trainer on Small Mammal field studies and conservation; Consultant to Govt. of Bangladesh on their project on “Encyclopedia of the Flora and Fauna of Bangladesh”, International Waterbird Census (IWC) Kerala State coordinator, since 1992; Member of the Kerala State Wildlife Board, Expert Member in the State Level Monitoring Committee of “Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act 2008”; Member of the State Wetland Authority of Kerala; Kerala State coordinator of “Indian Bird Conservation Network” since 2000 etc.

Dr. Neelesh Dahanukar
Teaching elementary probability theory for terrified biologists, Neelesh is a brilliant scientist whose range of repertoire includes mathematical modeling of biological systems, evolution and systematics, evolutionary game theory, taxonomy of fishes, amphibians & scorpions, and ecological statistics. As key faculty in the RHATC course, his invaluable experience both in the lab and the field will provide the students a clear perspective on how to break down complex issues into palatable scientific conservation actions. To know more about him click here <https://sites.google.com/view/neeleshdahanukar/home>

Dr. Rajeev Raghavan
An aquatic conservation biologist, Rajeev is known for his unending dedication for his work on the freshwater fishes of South Asia. He is the South Asia Co-Chair of the IUCN’s Freshwater Fish Specialist Group and currently an Assistant Professor at the Department of Fisheries Resource Management, Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies, Kochi, India. A prolific writer he has authored and published 170 papers and is ideally suited to guide young minds through the river of scientific writing. He has also discovered and described 21 new species, three genera (Aenigmachanna, Sahyadria, Waikhomia) and two enigmatic families (Krytoglanidae and Aenigmachannidae) of freshwater fish, and a unique new genus and species (Eurindicus bhugarbha) of blind subterranean shrimp.

Nandini Velho
My work has focused on the human-dimensions of wildlife management as well as understanding rainforest dynamics in tropical forests. Concurrently, I have worked closely with local forest managers, policy makers and engaged with on-ground outreach activities, including healthcare and logistical support of front-line forest staff, conservation education and writing in the popular medium.

Dr. A. Biju Kumar
Biju Kumar currently serves as Professor and Head of the Department of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries, University of Kerala. Served as Dean, Faculty of
Science and Director of Research, University of Kerala; Scientific Officer of Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment, and Principal Scientific Officer and
Member Secretary (in-charge) of Kerala State Biodiversity Board. Dr Biju is a member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Species Survival
Commission (SSC). Areas of research include taxonomy, invasion biology, biodiversity an ecology. Participated in committees on policy development related to the environment and biodiversity at the national and state level. Published more than 200 research papers, 25 books, and described 8 new genera and about 50 new species of aquatic organisms, and three species are named after Biju Kumar. Environmental educator and popular science writer.
Resource persons

Dr. Topiltzin Contreras-MacBeath
Former Minister of Sustainable Development for the Government of the State of Morelos in Central Mexico. For the past 36 years he has been Professor of ichthyology and Conservation Biology at the Autonomous University of the State Morelos, in central Mexico, where he is head of the Conservation Biology work group. His main research interests are thus related to freshwater ecosystems and endangered fish species conservation. He is involved in many international organizations: he is a founder and Regional Coordinator for Mesoamerica of the IUCN/SSC Freshwater Fish Specialist Group; he is Co-Chair of the IUCN/SSC Freshwater Conservation Committee and serves as a member of the Steering Committee of the Species Survival Commission at IUCN. He is also representative for Latin America of the International Association of Protected Areas (IAPA) based in China.

Rita Banerji
Founder and Project Director of the Green Hub Project (www.greenhubindia.net), Rita is one of the leading environment filmmakers in India and an Ashoka Fellow ttps://www.ashoka.org/en-in/fellow/rita-banerji). Her work is grounded in using visual communication as a tool for conservation-based storytelling. She has been part of three Panda award winning films, including ‘The Wild Meat Trail’ in 2010, that kickstarted the outreach work in the northeast of india. She was awarded the National Geographic - CMS Prithvi Ratna award in 2017 and the Sanctuary Wildlife Service Award 2020, for her contribution to environment conservation through films.

Dr. LAK Singh
Dr Lala Aswini Kumar Singh, PhD is an Indian zoologist and a life-long wildlife researcher. After Post-Graduation from Utkal University, over a span of 45 years Dr Singh has delivered volumes of research-based knowledge, technique and training materials, most of which are now available online, for improving conservation and management in projects for crocodiles, tiger and elephant. Besides, his studies on Chameleon, the Kalakuta gecko and fauna in higher canopy of forest in Odisha are pathbreaking stimuli for field zoologists. Dr Singh is a Member of the IUCN/SSC Conservation Planning Specialists Group for about 35 years. In 2013 he was honoured with the Odisha state award, the Biju Patnaik Prize for Wildlife Conservation.

Cara Tejpal
A self-described conservation generalist, Cara lends her skills to help confront the gamut of conservation challenges in India. She writes, fundraises, networks, develops campaigns and leads projects under the umbrella of the Sanctuary Nature Foundation. Cara also serves as a Commissioning Editor for Sanctuary Asia magazine, and heads the unique Mud on Boots Project, a booster programme designed to empower grassroots conservationists in India. As an independent writer, her articles on wildlife and conservation have appeared in innumerable national publications.
RHATC team

Trisa Bhattacharjee, Coordinator
I'm an Ecology Graduate from Pondicherry University. I'm a wildlife enthusiast and I like studying human perceptions. Presently, I'm working with Zoo Outreach Organization on documenting perception data and fundraising. Also, I'm a reviewer for Journal of Threatened Taxa. I like spending my time with forests and other indigenous communities. I am a proud student in Zoo Outreach Organization's first batch of Ram Hattikudur Advanced Training Course.

Latha G. Ravikumar, Administrator
I began as an office secretary cum accountant at Zoo Outreach Organisation and later progressed to finance director and administrator. This would not have been possible without Sally and Sanjay, who had recognized my hard work. Now that I have an MBA, I am in charge of the organization's finances, administration, and legalities. Aside from that, I'm involved in most of the ZOO’s projects, which include Zoos' Print, scientific databases, web designing and developing, assistance with developing educational materials, travel planning, computer services, etc. Working at ZOO for more than 30 years has been a rewarding experience. The late Ms. Sally Walker, who served as a mentor, friend, and boss, was instrumental in my professional development, and I will be eternally grateful to her. I am confident that the RHATC initiative, which Sanjay is heading, will be a success, and I am delighted to be a part of this endeavour. I'm pleased to see that Sally's contributions to zoos and wildlife conservation will be recognized by this course, which will continue her legacy of service. Working in the background on projects allows me to maintain a high level of comfort with both production work and project management. My interests include learning new computer skills, business skills, and spending quality time with my family.

Priyanka Iyer, Course Planner
I am passionate about wildlife conservation and have worked on aquatic systems, policy issues, education, and editing publications. I have assisted with IUCN Red List assessments and the Assessment to Planning process as part of the Conservation Planning Specialist Group, South Asia. I am fond of creating art that creates awareness about threats faced by wildlife. I dream of a world where humans understand that they are part of the natural system and fall in love with the magic of reality.

Payal Molur, Course & Conservation Education Planner
As a child I wanted to work with animals, now as an adult I live my dream. I began work in the field of wildlife documentary making, and then moved into education and curriculum development on wildlife topics and have been at it for over 17 years now. I have been a part of several international education teams that have taught issues on tigers, hoolock gibbons, amphibians, primates etc to teachers from Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bhutan and in several places across India. I have worked with communities and teachers in Nagaland to create eco clubs and stem the tide of hunting and worked on creating educational signages in museums and parks. Currently I am a freelance trainer with Zoo Outreach (India) in their wildlife education programs in India and a Curriculum Developer and Master Trainer with RoundGlass Learn.
