A scientist with the Mysore-based Nature Conservation Foundation, Ananda Kumar began his wildlife research trying to understand group dynamics of South Indian monkeys. For over a decade now, he has been actively involved in conservation of the Asian elephant. He works with a team of dedicated conservation scientists in the Anamalai Elephant Programme and is involved in initiating an elephant information network in collaboration with the Tamil Nadu Forest Department, plantation companies, and local residents. Ananda Kumar’s long term work on elephants in the Anamalai hills earned him the ‘Carl Zeiss Wildlife Conservation Award' in 2012 and ‘Whitley Award’ in 2015.