J. C. Daniel (naturalist)
Encyclopedia
Jivanayakam Cyril Daniel (b. Nagercoil
)) (9 July 1927- August 23, 2011), or J.C., as he was known, was an Indian naturalist, and the author of several acclaimed books on birds, mammals and reptiles.
, he has had a long association with the Bombay Natural History Society
, where he served as a curator from 1950, and was then its first Director. After retirement in 1991, he was promptly elected an Honorary Member and was also its Honorary
Secretary.
His books include The Book of Indian Reptiles (OUP), A Century of Natural History and Conservation in Developing Countries. He has co-authored Indian Wildlife - Insight Guides Lion Section. He revised The Book of Indian Birds by Salim Ali
for the 12th edition, brought out on the birth centenary of Salim Ali in 1996.
He was also Executive Editor of the Society's journal and the initiator of the Hornbill
magazine, which celebrated its Silver Jubilee in 2001.
He was diagnosed with cancer and died on the 23rd August 2011
Nagercoil
Nagercoil is the 12th largest city in the southernmost Indian state of Tamil Nadu and a municipality and administrative headquarters of Kanyakumari District...
)) (9 July 1927- August 23, 2011), or J.C., as he was known, was an Indian naturalist, and the author of several acclaimed books on birds, mammals and reptiles.
Life and work
His tryst with nature began as a young boy. His childhood memories include jackals howling into the night, to the accompaniment of the haunting calls of Hawk Owls. His mother's empathy towards animals and his father's scholarly pursuits encouraged him to frequent Trivandrum's excellent public library, where books on African wildlife whetted his budding curiosity for the natural world. Influenced early in his life by Dr. Sálim AliSalim Ali
Sálim Moizuddin Abdul Ali was an Indian ornithologist and naturalist. Known as the "birdman of India", Salim Ali was among the first Indians to conduct systematic bird surveys across India and his bird books helped develop ornithology...
, he has had a long association with the Bombay Natural History Society
Bombay Natural History Society
The Bombay Natural History Society, founded on 15 September 1883, is one of the largest non-governmental organizations in India engaged in conservation and biodiversity research. It supports many research efforts through grants, and publishes the Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society. Many...
, where he served as a curator from 1950, and was then its first Director. After retirement in 1991, he was promptly elected an Honorary Member and was also its Honorary
Secretary.
His books include The Book of Indian Reptiles (OUP), A Century of Natural History and Conservation in Developing Countries. He has co-authored Indian Wildlife - Insight Guides Lion Section. He revised The Book of Indian Birds by Salim Ali
Salim Ali
Sálim Moizuddin Abdul Ali was an Indian ornithologist and naturalist. Known as the "birdman of India", Salim Ali was among the first Indians to conduct systematic bird surveys across India and his bird books helped develop ornithology...
for the 12th edition, brought out on the birth centenary of Salim Ali in 1996.
He was also Executive Editor of the Society's journal and the initiator of the Hornbill
Hornbill
Hornbills are a family of bird found in tropical and subtropical Africa, Asia and Melanesia. They are characterized by a long, down-curved bill which is frequently brightly-colored and sometimes has a casque on the upper mandible. Both the common English and the scientific name of the family...
magazine, which celebrated its Silver Jubilee in 2001.
He was diagnosed with cancer and died on the 23rd August 2011