President
Dr. Avadh Bihari Shrivastav, Former Director, School of Wildlife Forensic and Health, NDVSU, Jabalpur
Dr. A.B. Shrivastav, founder and former director of the School of Wildlife Forensic and Health at Nanaji Deshmukh Veterinary Science University, Jabalpur, is a leading expert in wildlife health management in India. Since 1994, his efforts with the MP State Forest Department have revolutionized wildlife health practices, culminating in the establishment of the School of Wildlife Forensic and Healthin 2009.
With extensive experience, Dr. Shrivastav has provided consultancy to prestigious organizations such as WII, NTCA, CZA, WWF, and WTI, along with multiple state forest departments. He has led 11 national projects, including groundbreaking initiatives like India’s first Niche Area of Excellence on Wildlife Forensic and Health and the Indo-US Wildlife Health Cooperative Program.
A recipient of the Saheed Amrita Devi Vishnoi Award for wildlife conservation, he is also a prolific author, having published over 200 research articles and several books, including वन्यप्राणी स्वास्थ्य प्रबंधन and वन्यप्राणी चिकित्सक का सफरनामा. Dr. Shrivastav’s work continues to shape wildlife health management and conservation efforts across India
General Secretary
Dr. Parag Nigam , Head, Department of Wildlife Health Management, Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun
Capt. (Dr.) Parag Nigam has been a dedicated faculty of the Wildlife Institute of India since 2002, following his service with the Remount & Veterinary Corps of the Indian Army. With a passion for wildlife health and conservation, he has been at the forefront of designing and delivering capacity-building programs for wildlife health professionals, both within India and internationally.
Dr. Nigam has made remarkable contributions to the conservation of large carnivores and mega herbivores in India. He played a pivotal role in the country’s first-ever tiger reintroduction program at Sariska Tiger Reserve, working closely with the Rajasthan Forest Department and the National Tiger Conservation Authority. Another milestone for conservation is the initiative to re-establish Indian Gaur populations in Bandhavgarh and Sanjay Tiger Reserves, steered Dr Nigam and marking the first large-scale reintroduction of a mega-herbivore in India.
Known for his expertise in animal capture and radio collaring, Dr. Nigam has supported numerous wildlife ecological research projects across diverse landscapes. His work in developing chemical capture protocols for various native species has been groundbreaking, ensuring safe and effective practices for field applications.
In addition to his fieldwork, Dr. Nigam provides vital technical and advisory support to state wildlife agencies, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), and other institutions. From population-building programs to wildlife rescue and mortality investigations, his contributions have been instrumental in shaping wildlife management strategies in the country.
Currently heading the Wildlife Health Management Division at the Wildlife Institute of India, Dr. Nigam is also an active member of the IUCN Veterinary Specialist Group under the Species Survival Commission. With his extensive experience and dedication, he continues to make a significant impact on wildlife conservation and management in India.
Jt Secretary
Dr. Gowri Mallapur, Director GaiaMitra Collective Foundation
Dr Gowri Mallpur is an eco-warrior, a passionate herpetologist with an unquantifiable eagerness to push boundaries.
She has a masters in Veterinary Sciences (Parasitology) from the Bombay veterinary College and a Diploma in Sustainable Development and Natural History management from the Ecological Society, Pune. In addition, she has completed a year-long course in basic herpetology from the Bombay Natural History Society.
She currently works as the Director of the GaiaMitra Collective Foundation based out of Goa. The main focus of work here is inclusive conservation practices for Landscape conservation in the Northern Western Ghats. The aim being to link field conservation, communities, livelihoods, natural resource management and environment protection, into a practical working model.
She has worked as a Subject Matter Specialist (Veterinary Health Management) on a project entitled Biodiversity Conservation and Ganga Rejuvenation under the aegis of the Wildlife Institute of India and the National Mission for Clean Ganga. This project focuses on work on conservation, rescue and rehabilitation of Aquatic Macro-Fauna. She also completed a 2 year stint at the Centrak Zoo Authority, as the veterinary consultant.
She is an invited member of the IUCN SSC- Crocodile Specialist Group. She also worked as the veterinarian at The Madras Crocodile Bank Trust/ Centre for herpetology and its associated Projects and also had an administrative role in the organization.
Jt Secretary Dr Bhaskar Choudhury, Executive Committee Jt Secretary
Dr. Bhaskar Choudhury, Head of Veterinary Services at the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), has extensive expertise in wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, disease investigation, captive elephant health management, radio telemetry (VHF), wildlife capture and translocations, wildlife disaster management, and wildlife law and litigation. He holds a Bachelor of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry degree and a Certificate in One Health. Since July 2000, Dr. Choudhury has worked primarily as a wildlife field veterinarian in Northeast India, with additional experience in Corbett Tiger Reserve and Chhattisgarh. His work has focused on rescuing and rehabilitating distressed wildlife, managing the husbandry of large mammals such as Asian elephants, greater one-horned rhinoceroses, and clouded leopards, and rehabilitating species like the greater adjutant stork. His achievements include large mammal translocations, mass translocation of eastern swamp deer, the capture and translocation of greater one-horned rhinoceroses, Asiatic wild buffaloes, and Asian elephants, as well as wildlife disease investigations, particularly necropsy. He has also been involved in managing wildlife during natural disasters, conducting community education and sensitization, and overseeing post-release monitoring of wildlife using VHF and satellite telemetry. Dr. Choudhury is a member of the IUCN SSC Asian Elephant Specialist Group, the IUCN SSC Asian Rhino Specialist Group, and the Indian Rhino Vision 2020 Capture, Transport, and Release Committee (2008–2021). He also served on the Task Force on Captive Elephant Healthcare under Project Elephant, Government of India, from 2019 to 2023.
Treasurer
Dr. Abhijit. M. Pawde, Pr. Scientist (Surgery) & I/C, Centre for Wildlife Conservation, Management and Disease Surveillance, IVRI
Abhijit m pawde started working in wild life in 1991 while treating ” Lohit ” male rhino at dudhwa national park (UP) which was brought from kanpur zoo to change blood line at dudhwa. Presently works as a principal scientist & Incharge center for wildlife, ICAR-IVRI he has earlier worked at Equus Stud Farm, Shirgaon ,Pune Subsequently, he served as Senior Scientist and Coordinator Referral Veterinary Polyclinic , ICAR-IVRI of his illustrious career , he was associated with several research activities which include several primary interest was in tissue regeneration and reconstruction ,rehabilitationand physiotherapy. He has published more than 180 papers and reviewed papers of Indian and international journals . Dr. Pawde is Fellow and Surgeon of the Year awards the Indian society for Veterinary Surgery. He has also been the recipient of several best paper publication awards.
Joint Treasurer
Dr Karikalan, M. Scientist, Centre for Wildlife Conservation Management & Disease Surveillance, IVRI, Izatnagar
Karikalan M. holds doctorate in Veterinary Pathology from the ICAR-IVRI, Izatnagar, Deemed University, Bareilly. He has been working as a Scientist (Veterinary pathology) at the Centre for Wildlife Conservation Management & Disease Surveillance, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar since 2015. He is involved in conducting post-mortem, histopathological and molecular diagnosis of diseases among captive and free range wild animals. He was recently completed the DST-SERB funded project entitled “Patho-epidemiology of elephant endotheliotropic herpes virus among Asian Elephants” and developed diagnostic kits against the disease. He has been providing technical services to various state wildlife departments, Central Zoo Authority and Project Elephant, MoEF & CC, Govt. Of India.He is also PI of NSAIDS safety testing in vultures and his innovative research led to ban of Aceclofenac and nimesulide in veterinary use. He also found the safe use of NSAID tolfenamic acid in Gyps vultures. He published more than 100 reasearch papers in National and International journals, 4 book chapters and 3 books related to wildlife diseases. He has guided 4 MVSc students and all have did research on molecular epidemiology of wildlife diseases. He was recipient of Murray Fowler Scholarship Award in 2024 and various other Association awards IAVP. He is member of Association of India Zoo and Wildlife Veterinarians and Indian Association of Veterinary Pathologists
Executive Members : North
Dr. Ashok Khasa Sr. Veterinary Officer, Rohtak Zoo, Haryana
Dr. Ashok Khasa completed his bachelor’s in veterinary sciences from Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University in 2005. He joined the Haryana Animal Husbandry department as Veterinary Surgeon in March 2007 and served in Fatehabad and Rohtak district of Haryana. He has been serving as Forest Veterinarian in Forest & Wildlife department, Haryana since 2015. He is in-charge of the RRT (Rapid Response Team). He is responsible for providing veterinary support in managing zoo animals and free ranging wild animals, carrying out post-mortem examinations, rescue and rehabilitation of wild animals and conservation breeding programme. He is also in charge of animal translocation programs.
Executive Members:East
Dr. Parag Deka, Project Director, Pygmy Hog Conservation Programme, Assam
Dr. Parag Jyoti Deka, a veterinarian training, began his career as Project Officer of Pygmy Hog Conservation Programme (PHCP) in 1997 – a Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust led collaborative programme for saving endangered pygmy hog. Initially, He was engaged in healthcare, management and breeding of captive pygmy hogs. Later, as Project Manager, he also involved in habitat restoration, reintroduction and monitoring hogs in Assam. He also involved in training of students, forest personnel and conservation professionals on conservation breeding and reintroduction. As a member IUCN/SSC Wild Pig Specialist Group, he contributed in conservation planning of endangered pigs of the south east Asia. He was also involved as consultant in Captive Elephant Healthcare Programme of EcoSystems-India in Assam, sponsored Elephant Sanctuary, Tennessee, USA (2002-03) and Assam Haathi Project, a project human-elephant conflict; North of England Zoological Society, Chester Zoo, and EcoSystems-India (2004 to 2012). Dr Deka also awarded with “Disney Conservation Hero” in 2017 for his unequalled dedication to conservation. Since beginning of 2018, he has been leading the programme as Project director of PHCP and Programme manager of Aaranyak while Aaranyak joins as a partner of PHCP
Executive Members:Central
Dr. Atul Gupta, Wildlife Health Officer, Van Vihar National Park & Zoo, Madhya Pradesh
Dr. Atul Gupta is a seasoned veterinary professional with over 18 years of experience in wildlife healthcare and management. A graduate of Mhow Veterinary College, he joined Van Vihar National Park and Zoo (VVNP), Bhopal in 2006, where he has made significant contributions to the welfare of wild animals in captivity. Holding a Post Graduate Diploma in Wildlife Management from the Wildlife Institute of India, Dr. Gupta has further honed his skills with specialized courses in endangered species recovery and wildlife restraint techniques, both in the UK and Zimbabwe.
Dr. Gupta is renowned for his ethical management of senile and neonatal wildlife patients, and for establishing state-of-the-art veterinary infrastructure at VVNP, including a modern hospital equipped for major surgeries and advanced diagnostics. His efforts have resulted in the development of standardized health protocols followed zoos across India, particularly in managing disease outbreaks and ensuring the long-term welfare of captive species.
He has successfully led several rescue and rehabilitation operations, including the pioneering treatment of a tiger with hepato-renal dysfunction through peritoneal dialysis, a first in India. Dr.
Gupta’s work has been published in leading wildlife journals, and he has been instrumental in species conservation efforts, including translocation projects for various species to protected reserves. His contributions have been widely recognized, earning him accolades such as the Best Wildlife Field Veterinarian award (2011), the Wildlife Conservation Award the Government of Madhya Pradesh (2012 and 2018) and the Prani Mitra Award the Government of India (2020).
Executive Members:West
Dr. Komal V Raul, Dy Director (Veterinary), Byculla Zoo, Mumbai, Maharashtra
Dr. Komal V. Raul having graduated from Mumbai Veterinary College (MVC), Parel (2007) has also completed Master’s degree in Surgery and Radiology from MVC, Mumbai (2010) with ophthalmology as her thesis topic and performs cataract and various other eye surgeries in different species. While studying Master’s degree she secured a job in Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (BMC) as a Veterinary Officer in Deonar Slaughter House (2008-2010). She was awarded the Best Veterinary Officer award in Deonar in 2010.
She got an opportunity to work at the one of the oldest heritage Zoo (162 years old) Mumbai Zoo – Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Udyan & Zoo, Byculla, Mumbai as Veterinary Officer in 2010 and dedicatedly worked at the zoo for the next 12 years. She was actively involved in the revamping of Mumbai Zoo in the planning of new exhibits for animals under the Zoo modernization project. She is now promoted to the post of Dy. Supdt Vet (Zoo) and is currently in charge of the administration and management of the Mumbai Zoo.
She is the head vet at the Zoo and she still performs surgeries in wild captive animals. She has performed surgeries in Elephant, tiger, jackal, leopard, black bucks, spotted deers, barking deers, macaques, birds. She has pursued her work in ophthalmology and has been part of the Zoo Vet team to operate on cataract in Asiatic Lion in Machia Zoo, Jodhpur in 2023. Trekking, painting, reading are her hobbies.
Executive Members:South
Dr. Arun. A. Sha, Director-Research & Veterinary Consultant, Wildlife SOS, Senior Consultant & Trauma Care, SKS Veterinary Hospitals, Bengaluru.
Dr. A. Sha. Arun is a wildlife veterinarian with a B.V.Sc, an M.V.Sc in Wildlife Medicine from TANUVAS, and a Ph.D. in Biotechnology (2021), focusing on Sloth bear and Leopard gut microbiota. He currently serves as an Exotic Wildlife Consultant and Trauma Care Specialist at SKS Veterinary Hospitals, Chennai, and as a Consultant and Advisor for Wildlife SOS, where he worked for 18 years as Director of Research and Veterinary Operations. During this time, he played a key role in rescuing, rehabilitating, and treating various species, including Sloth bears, Leopards, Elephants, and Tigers.
Dr. Arun’s notable achievements include contributing a book chapter on Sloth bear medicine to Fowler’s Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine, Current Therapy, Volume 10 (2022). He has pursued multiple postgraduate diplomas and certifications in areas like Counselling & Psychotherapy, Criminology, Animal Welfare, and Wildlife Disease Management. Additionally, he is highly skilled in veterinary dentistry, having performed over 1,000 root canals and 3,000 extractions on wildlife and pets. His work has earned him several awards, including the Governor’s Award for Best M.V.Sc Student (TANUVAS), the Best Emerging Wildlife Veterinarian Award (2016), and a bravery award from the District Collector of Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu, for his role in mitigating human-elephant conflict. Dr. Arun is also a scholarship recipient from the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians (2014) and has been recognized various conservation bodies for his outstanding wildlife services.
As an active member of the IUCN SSC Bear Specialist Group and several other professional organizations, Dr. Arun has contributed to critical conservation efforts, such as the radio-collaring of wild animals, the repatriation of smuggled Star tortoises, and the management of Sloth bear ecology in Karnataka. He has supervised numerous research projects and led veterinary teams in wildlife rescue missions, including disaster relief efforts during the 2004 Tsunami, 2005 Maharashtra floods, and 2015 Chennai floods. Dr. Arun has also published scientific articles, spoken at public forums, and trained wildlife professionals in conflict mitigation.