AJT Jonsing, a renowned Indian wildlife biologist and conservationist, sadly passed away on the morning of June 7, 2024 in Bengaluru at the age of 78. He leaves behind his wife, Kausalya, and two children. The first son, Squadron Leader Mike Asir Jonsingh (Retd), and the second son, Mervyn Jonsing, who holds a senior designer position at Microsoft, continue his legacy.
Having dedicated his life to the cause of environmental conservation, Jonsing bid farewell to the world after a distinguished career as a fearless advocate for the protection of flora and fauna.
Born in Nankuneri, a village located at the southern end of the Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu, Jonsing was raised by a teaching couple who instilled in him a deep appreciation for nature through their involvement in agriculture and tree planting. His passion for wildlife was further fueled by the captivating stories of Colonel Edward James ‘Jim’ Corbett, who explored the vast deserts of India. Inspired by his parents and Corbett, Jonsing pursued a path in wildlife biology, leaving an indelible mark on the field.
Jonsing achieved global recognition for his extensive research on free-ranging large mammals in India during the late 1970s. His focus was on studying the cubs of the Bandipur Tiger Reserve for his doctoral thesis.
He obtained his education from Madras Christian College in Chennai and later became a professor at Ayya Nadar Janaki Ammal College in Sivakasi. While he briefly collaborated with the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC, Jonsing returned to India in October 1981 to join the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS). In 1985, he became a part of the Wildlife Institute of India in Dehradun, where he served as the Dean of the Faculty of Wildlife Sciences until his retirement in 2005.
Even after retiring, Jonsing remained actively involved in conservation organizations such as the Nature Conservation Foundation, WWF India, and the Corbett Foundation. His life’s work revolved around safeguarding landscapes, ecosystems, and large mammals, particularly mahseers.
His research primarily focused on various species including the Asian elephant, Asiatic lion, goral, Himalayan ibex, Nilgiri tahr, sloth bear, grizzled giant squirrel, and Nilgiri langur. Jonsing’s significant contribution to the conservation of the endangered golden and blue mahseers will always be remembered.
Throughout his career, Jonsing authored over 70 scientific papers and more than 80 popular articles on wildlife conservation. In recognition of his exceptional contributions, he received several prestigious awards. In 2004, the Society for Conservation Biology honored him with the Distinguished Service Award, and he also received the Carl Zeiss Wildlife Conservation Award for lifetime service to Indian wildlife. In 2005,
Jonsing was presented with the ABN AMRO Sanctuary Lifetime Wildlife Service Award. Additionally, he was bestowed with the Padma Shri, a distinguished civilian award, by the country.
