An unparalleled conservationist

There were very few things that could dissuade Ajith sir from getting his boots muddy. There was no mountain high enough, no valley deep enough, no river wide enough to keep him from his beloved students in the field. He was a seasoned veteran of the forests, undeterred by leeches and ticks, and a man of all seasons.

One had to be truly unlucky not to have him join even briefly at one’s field site, as he clucked over the brood of wildlife enthusiasts like a mother hen. I was one of those unfortunate few.

Disappointed about not being able to join me, he earnestly explained why: “As much as I would like to, Gujarat is a dry State.” I countered optimistically: “You will be well taken care of. Leave that to me.” He smiled sadly and said: “But in Kutch, you cannot guarantee fresh fish.” And indeed I couldn’t. Not to his satisfaction in any case. He promised to make it up to me, feeling particularly remorseful about seeing me so crestfallen, especially since this was my first field season after going into remission, just a few months after my cancer diagnosis.

Outside my family, he was one of the first people I spoke to after my diagnosis. His optimism at seeing me back in the field, finishing what I started, kept me going through my treatment. And I did return to finish the project. He supported me every inch of the way. He was so proud to see me defend my thesis. To make up for not visiting me in Kutch, he came and spent a few days with me in Mumbai a few years ago.

Dr. Ajith Kumar, a pioneering primatologist, wildlife biologist, conservationist, educator, and mentor, passed away at the age of 72 on March 1, while leading a batch of students to the field in the Satpura Tiger Reserve, Pachmarhi. He is survived by his family and numerous students, colleagues, collaborators, and friends. He did his Ph.D. at the University of Cambridge, focusing on the endangered lion-tailed macaque, which the Western Ghats forests in his native Kerala harbour. He was a faculty member at the Wildlife Institute of India in Dehradun and Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History in Coimbatore before joining the Wildlife Conservation Society-India in 2003. He was the founding course director of the Master’s programme in wildlife biology and conservation at the National Centre for Biological Sciences in Bengaluru from its inception in 2004 until 2020. A member of the IUCN Primate Specialist Group, he continued to be associated with the Master’s programme and the Centre for Wildlife Studies in Bengaluru.

Source of inspiration

Despite all his travel, teaching, research, administration, mentoring, and a thousand little things that would fill up his day, he would always make time to talk. He was there, whenever I needed advice, guidance, or just a chat. With undivided attention. Never judging, forever calm, sometimes goofy, ever humorous, invariably smiling with twinkling eyes that missed nothing. Even when chiding me, even when earnestly telling me off for something, he could not hold a serious expression for long.

We have lost an incredible institution builder, primatologist and wildlife biologist par excellence, and an extraordinary human being way too early. I take solace that Ajith Kumar left us, perhaps, in the best way possible. Doing what he loved, not in too much pain, surrounded by some of his beloved brood and friends, gallivanting in the field, trekking through the forests of India, and tracking mammals to his last breath.

In a field of inspiring conservationists having strong personalities, with tempers often running high, rife with splintered opinionated factions, Ajith sir was that rare hero who was universally loved. An Ajatashatru, one without enemies, disarming everyone with his good sense, sensibility, and smile. Never letting things get out of hand, even when dealing with two dozen temperaments and personalities, he would manage frayed emotions with his grace, humour, and smile intact.

There is an outpouring of collective grief from the legion of conservationists and wildlife biologists he had inspired. Colleagues and friends spanning more than four decades, from the Western Ghats to the hallowed halls of Cambridge where he did his doctorate, have shared numerous anecdotes, images, videos, and archival information. This precious vault of memories has gone a long way in accepting that while he will no longer be there in person, he will always be around, unparalleled in his impact on the global wildlife community. And even in his death, he has brought the community together. Unifying us in our anguish with his passing but also the weight of his everlasting legacy.

kadambari.devarajan@gmail.com