Samad Kottur is a leading Conservationist from Karnataka. He has done his M.A. in English and Population Studies and M.Sc. in Environmental Science. He has worked as an Honorary Wildlife Warden of Bellary District of Karnataka in 1997-2000 and 2002-2005. He has written books like Daroji – An ecological destination, and Birds of Hampi. He initiated a campaign against ritual hunting from 2000 AD in Hampi vicinity. Consequently, thousands of animals were saved from this malpractice. He also initiated the hobby of bird watching in Bellary district and identified migratory birds around the backwaters of Tungabhadra dam and nesting colonies of rare birds. Samad has rescued more than 10 bear cubs from poachers.