Wildlife Biology Department

Wildlife Biology

The Wildlife Biology Department is broadly interested in conservation biology, evolutionary ecology, behavioural ecology, citizen science, and natural history. The forests of Kerala contain a rich fauna that includes a wide variety of birds and mammals. It works across taxa - mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects, and plants - on topics related to species distribution, ecology, behaviour, conservation management, and dynamics of human-wildlife interactions. We support various stakeholders in science-based policy-making and wildlife and biodiversity conservation implementation.

The department is engaged in:

Monitoring the population of wildlife in Protected areas in Kerala
Documentation of their distribution
Studies on the ecology and behaviour of selected species
Habitat utilization, requirements and resource availability of wildlife in PAs
Human-wildlife interaction and management

The institute has been awarded several research grants from the MoEF & CC, Government of India; SERB, Department of Science & Technology, Government of India; Indian Navy, Global Environment Facility-United Nations Development Programme, Mohammed Bin Species Conservation Fund, Abu Dhabi; International Foundation for Science, Sweden, INASP, UK; Conservation Leadership Programme, etc.

Ongoing Research Projects

Population Estimation, Stakeholder Perspective, and Conflict Mitigation Strategies for Bonnet Macaques (Macaca Radiate) in Kerala
Project No.GOK RP 893/2024 Funding Agency: Kerala Forest Department (KFD)
Principal Investigator: Dr. P. Balakrishnan
Assessing the risk of vector-bornein and around peechi-vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary diseases in human-wildlife interface
Project No.PG RP 899/2025 Funding Agency: KFRI Plan Grants
Principal Investigator: Dr. Rajan Pilakandy