Nagarhole Tiger Reserve, Karnataka, March 3, 2018

Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) mourns the passing of S Manikandan (IFS),
Conservator of Forests and Director, Nagarhole Tiger Reserve, who died in
tragic circumstances at the age of 46 while on duty earlier today.

Shri Manikandan suffered fatal injuries in an
attack by a wild tusker while inspecting the damage caused
by a fire in the DB Kuppe Range of Nagarhole,
close to the Kabini backwaters.

WTI’s field personnel had worked with
Shri Manikandan during Van Rakshak
training workshops and anti-snare drives
with frontline staff in Nagarhole,
and through our Mobile Veterinary Service unit
in the Bandipur-Nagarhole landscape. He was a devoted officer
and a field man through and through,
always on the frontlines of wildlife conservation.

Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family.