Renowned ornithologist Dr Hussain is dead

Renowned ornithologist Dr Hussain is dead

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, January 1: Renowned environmental scientist and ornithologist Dr S A Hussain died of a heart attack in his residence at 12:30 a.m. on Thursday. He was 65 years old. Mr. Bhashu Sahib, the scientist’s close friend, said that he was watching Animal Planet on his computer when he had the heart attack. His last rites will be held after his nephews Jamshed and Shabbeer Ahmed return from the Gulf.

Dr. Hussain, born on August 13, 1944, to Kulsum Hussain and Haji Syed Hussain in Karkala, joined the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) as a research assistant in 1969 . He worked on the Bird Migration Project and undertook a number of field assignments and ecological expeditions organized by Dillon Ripley and Dr Salim Ali on behalf of BNHS. He served as the principal scientist of BNHS from 1980 – 90.

He has to his credit a lot of fieldwork and research. He has published a number of papers on rare species of Indian birds such as the Himalayan Honeyguide, the Narcondam Hornbill, and the Blacknecked Crane. He also has to his credit more than 35 years of research in ecology and natural history and has led a number of multi-disciplinary research groups.  Dr. Hussain who was a bachelor has played a significant role in the revival of Aanekere, one of the largest lakes in DK.

Dr. Hussain has planned and organized international, national, and regional seminars and conferences. His hobbies are music, travelling, and nature walking. His favorite author is Jim Corbett.