Dr. Sanjay Molur, Ph.D.
Executive 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 about working 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 international boards such as the Alliance for Zero Extinction and the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund. The RHATC course is his brainchild based on his own experience and development from a similar training he received as an early career conservationist in the early 1990s. He earned his Ph.D. degree from Mysore University in 2010. His expertise extends to ecological restoration and habitat management, where he guides teams in implementing evidence-based conservation strategies.
Latha G Ravikumar, MBA
Finance Director / Administrator
She has an MBA and is in charge of the Organisation's finances, administration, and legalities. Her expertise spans strategic financial planning, statutory compliance, grant management, and organisational development. She manages comprehensive administrative systems, handles legal documentation, and oversees internal audits and reporting. Aside from that, she is 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, resource allocation, capacity building, and infrastructure management. She has been working with ZOO for more than 34 years, contributing to its growth. Her multi-faceted role combines financial management and administration with technical oversight of publications, databases, and digital resources, while also supporting educational initiatives and organisational infrastructure development.
R. Marimuthu, M.Sc.
Education Officer
Marimuthu holds an M.Sc. in wildlife from A.V.C. College, Mayiladuthurai. Marimuthu's communication skills endear him to his target audiences who usually let down their guard and participate in the programmes completely. He has had several trainings including the famous Jersey Training in Endangered Species Management and the World Conservation Society's Education training in New York. He has been one of the more successful educator trainees involved in the Teachers for Tiger workshops of WCS & ZOO. His expertise in environmental education complements his role in coordinating conservation and community engagement initiatives.
Priyanka Iyer, M.Phil.
Researcher / Associate Editor
She is passionate about wildlife conservation and has worked on aquatic systems, policy issues, education, and editing publications. She has assisted with IUCN Red List assessments and the Assessment to Planning process as part of the Conservation Planning Specialist Group, South Asia. She is fond of creating art that raises awareness about threats faced by wildlife. She leads restoration and conservation projects, coordinating teams and stakeholders while managing project implementation and monitoring. Her work focuses on coordinating ecological restoration programs and stakeholder engagement, while contributing to conservation planning and assessment.
Payal B Molur*
Wildlife Educator
She is a wildlife education specialist with over 17 years of experience. She began her career in wildlife documentary making before transitioning to education and curriculum development. Payal has been part of numerous international education teams, teaching about various wildlife topics to educators across South Asia. She has worked with communities in Nagaland to establish eco clubs, combat hunting, and develop educational materials. Currently, Payal serves as a freelance trainer with Zoo Outreach (India), where she develops and implements environmental education strategies and training programs.
B. Ravichandran
Managing Editor, JoTT & Research Assistant
He joined as an Administrative Assistant in 1999 with office clerical work and assisted in more than 15 workshops (PHVA, CAMP, Field Technique, Teachers for Tigers series, SAZARC). While maintaining the library at ZOO, he developed DTP skills and became an editorial assistant for Zoo's Print Journal in 2014. Later he became Managing Editor of Journal of Threatened Taxa when it started in 2009. Beyond his editorial responsibilities, he contributes to field operations and habitat restoration activities.
Trisa Bhattacharjee, M.Sc.
Coordinator - RHATC & Himalayan Restoration Project
She is an Ecology graduate, focused on working on wildlife conservation and restoration through stakeholder-based approaches. She has spent time across different forests in India, interacting with communities and the youth there. At present, she works at Zoo Outreach Organisation as a researcher, monitoring and evaluating conservation projects through participatory methods, fundraising, and coordinating training activities organised by the organisation. She is also pursuing her doctoral study at Zoo Outreach Organisation with Dr. Sanjay Molur on understanding the threats to elephants in the Sathyamangalam landscape.
Usha Ravindra, M.Sc.
Research Assistant
She hails from Bangalore and is basically a physicist. Now she is exploring wildlife as a career and is finding out how to contribute to conservation through research.
Tandrali Baruah, M.Sc.
Research Assistant / Educator
She is a wildlife educator who leads the design and implementation of biodiversity education and community engagement programmes, working closely with teachers, students, and local communities. Her role includes developing curriculum-aligned learning materials, conducting teacher training workshops, and coordinating school and community outreach initiatives. She supports education and awareness projects focused on marine and freshwater conservation, ensuring that scientific knowledge is translated into practical, locally relevant learning experiences.
Vishal Ahuja, M.Sc.
Researcher
Vishal Ahuja hails from Chamba and is a teacher by trade. He joined the Himalayan Langur Project in 2012. He oversees the Himalayan Langur Education Program in schools in Chamba and is passionate about trekking. He is currently overseeing restoration activities in Chamba.
P. Kritika*
Research Assistant
She holds a Master's degree in Zoology from J.C. Bose University of Science and Technology. Despite growing up in a metropolitan city, she developed a passion for wildlife through summer visits to her native place. Kritika is new to the conservation field and eager to learn more. Her favourite subjects include vertebrate physiology, anatomy, evolutionary biology, and the geological time scale. In her free time, she enjoys visiting hill stations, stargazing, reading, baking, painting, and listening to music. Kritika is currently involved in the Himalayan Langur Project and Himalayan Restoration Project in Chamba.
Sidharthan*
Research Assistant
Sidharthan holds a bachelor's degree in Zoology and a master's in Wildlife Studies, with interests in wildlife genetics, host-pathogen interactions, and biodiversity monitoring. As a Ram Hattikudur Advanced Training in Conservation (RHATC) fellow, he gained field experience through a mentorship project in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra's lateritic plateaus. He has participated in several bird and wildlife surveys and is passionate about nature education and interdisciplinary conservation approaches.
Koshik V Rao*
Research Assistant
Koshik is a wildlife enthusiast who pursued a Master's in Zoology from Mangalore University. He completed the Ram Hattikudur Advanced Training in Conservation (RHATC) course, where he gained insights into conservation challenges. He realises that balancing development with ecological sustainability is crucial and is motivated to work toward wildlife conservation and raising awareness about protecting biodiversity for future generations.
Poojitha Dupati*
Research Assistant
Poojitha is a Master's graduate in Zoology from Osmania University with a deep passion for nature and wildlife conservation. Her love for animals began in childhood and has shaped her commitment to protecting them and their habitats. She is particularly interested in studying wolves and exploring predictive modelling to aid conservation efforts.
Dr. J. Chaithra Shree*
Assistant Editor
Chaithra Shree serves as Assistant Editor for the Journal of Threatened Taxa (JoTT) and also serves as Member Secretary of the Human Ethics Committee. She is responsible for managing peer-reviewed articles, coordinating with authors and reviewers, and ensuring high editorial standards for the journal. She is based in Coimbatore and contributes to maintaining the quality and integrity of JoTT's scientific publications.
Paloma Noronha*
Assistant Editor
Paloma Noronha serves as Assistant Editor for the Journal of Threatened Taxa (JoTT), working remotely from Silvassa, Dadra & Nagar Haveli. Her responsibilities include copyediting and reviewing articles, managing peer-reviewed manuscripts, and coordinating with authors and reviewers to maintain editorial standards. She plays a key role in the journal's publication process and quality assurance.
Amrin Taiba Ansari*
Research Assistant
She is an enthusiastic individual from a small town and conservative background who has been defying stereotypes from a young age. Her dream is to become a wildlife conservationist, which she is pursuing through her work with Zoo Outreach Organisation. Amrin is currently involved in the Chamba Restoration Project in Chamba Valley, Himachal Pradesh.
Dr. Sachin Verma*
Botanist
He is a dedicated forestry professional with a Ph.D. in Forestry and over two years of research experience through key roles in national and international projects such as ESIP and TOFI-USAID. His work has focused on plantation development, agroforestry promotion, carbon stock assessment, and sustainable land use. Dr. Verma has authored numerous research papers, articles, books, book chapters, and manuals. He was honoured with the Young Scientist Award for his significant contributions to forestry. Sachin is currently involved in the Chamba Restoration Project in Chamba Valley, Himachal Pradesh.
Lakshay Tyagi*
Botanist
Lakshay Tyagi serves as the Botanist for the Himalayan Restoration Project at Zoo Outreach Organisation Trust. With extensive experience working across the Lower Himalayas, particularly in Dehradun, he has collaborated with the Wildlife Institute of India and the Azim Premji Foundation on urban ecology projects. His work focuses on biodiversity surveys, habitat assessments, and building conservation awareness within local communities. Guided by the principle that “every rescue is a promise kept,” Lakshay brings deep compassion and field expertise to botanical research and habitat restoration efforts in the Himalayas.
Lakshya Raj Singh Rathore*
Community Intern
Lakshya Raj Singh Rathore is the Community Intern for the Himalayan Restoration Project at Zoo Outreach Organisation Trust. A forestry graduate from Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University, he brings valuable field experience in community-based conservation, biodiversity research, and forest impact assessment. Having interned with WWF-India, the Rajasthan Forest Department, and the Rajasthan Forestry and Wildlife Training Institute, he specialises in connecting local communities with conservation goals through education and communication. His work approach combines scientific rigour with empathy and a strong belief in inclusive conservation practices.
Payal Chaman*
Community Intern
Payal, a native of Dugli village, is committed to working from the community and for the community. She has been associated with the Zoo Outreach Organisation since July 2024. Through her role, she has strengthened her connection with nature, deepened her understanding of wildlife, and actively contributed to environmental awareness within local communities. Despite its challenges, she finds the work purposeful, inspiring, and deeply fulfilling.
Sushanth, S.*
Ph.D. Scholar
He is registered for a Ph.D. under Zoo Outreach Organisation Trust Research Centre, affiliated with the Manipal Academy of Higher Education, and is working on 'Species composition and status of vegetation, herpetofauna, birds, and mammals in the habitat mosaics of Nelliyampathy Hills, Kerala.' Sushanth is currently involved in the Non-volant small mammal project.
Rajeshkanna, R.*
Administrator
He holds a dual position within the Zoo Outreach Organisation (ZOO) ecosystem. He serves as an assistant to the Finance and Admin Team, supporting various tasks including financial management, administration, database maintenance, web development, and educational material creation. Additionally, Rajeshkanna owns Green Prints, which functions as the printing and processing partner for ZOO's Journal of Threatened Taxa (JoTT).
Radhika Suresh
Accounts cum Project Executive
Radhika is an M.Com graduate and has taken on the responsibilities of maintaining communications, helping with accounts, publication, and general administration. She supports project implementation through administrative coordination and financial documentation.
Geetha Kannan
Accounts cum Project Executive
Geetha takes care of account maintenance, record keeping, and assisting with administration. Her responsibilities include administrative support for conservation programs.
Somyuktha Sajeev*
Accounts cum Project Executive
Somyuktha is an MBA graduate and helps with accounts, publication, and general administration. She supports project implementation through administrative coordination and financial documentation along with Radhika and Rajeshkanna.
Dr. Bhargavi Srinivasulu, Ph.D.
Senior Scientist
Bhargavi earned a Ph.D. in birds from Osmania University. She is a Chiropterologist (bat expert). She has been affiliated with Zoo Outreach Organisation for several years and also works as an intern at the Zoology Department of Osmania University.
Dr. Manju Siliwal, Ph.D.
Research Associate
Manju is a spider taxonomist (Arachnologist). She has a Ph.D. degree in Zoology (on spiders of Agroecosystem) from The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, Gujarat. Manju works with WILD on a very exciting topic on the distribution and status of Mygalomorph spiders in India. Her main job involves field surveys in different parts of India to collect ecological and taxonomical data on Indian Theraphosids. She has several scientific papers to her credit, the most important one being a complete checklist of Indian spiders.
Dr. Mewa Singh, Ph.D.
Associate Scientist
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 the University of Mysore, and he 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 behaviour, ecology, and conservation biology. With several awards to his credit and vast knowledge in various fields of science, Mewa is a treasure trove and a steady guiding hand for the students.