Gopal Chandra Tanti

Wildlife Service Award (2001)

Gopal Chandra Tanti’s life is spent in boats and walking the muddy creeks and mangroves of the Sundarbans Tiger Reserve, where he has been working since 1979. His work includes the artificial hatching and release of endangered species such as the estuarine crocodile and marine and freshwater turtles. He is responsible for rescuing several cats from human habitations where they had strayed and would otherwise have been shot. He has helped rescue more than 10 tigers so far, of which seven were reintroduced into their mangrove habitat.