Wildlife SOS on Nat Geo WILD!

Show cast members

Kartick Satyanarayan, CEO and Co-Founder, Wildlife SOS – Kartick’s love of the natural world began early in life rescuing animals and exploring the forest near his Bangalore home. He started his wildlife career as a field research biologist tracking tigers for the Wildlife Conservation Society. Today he oversees 10 wildlife rescue and rehabilitation facilities for tigers, bears, leopards, reptiles, birds and elephants. He also heads the Anti-Poaching unit of Wildlife SOS called ‘Forest Watch’ and often goes undercover as a decoy to crack poaching gangs.

Geeta Seshamani, Secretary and Co-founder, Wildlife SOS – Geeta is an active senior wildlife conservationist and animal rights activist. For over three decades, her life has been centred on the profound belief that man can coexist with animals and forests. She is the Vice President of Friendicoes SECA and also the Co-Founder and Secretary of Wildlife SOS. When Geeta witnessed a sloth bear being forced to dance while its owner begged for money in Uttar Pradesh. She joined forces with Kartick to launch a 30 month long investigation to understand the problem and later that year Wildlife SOS was born.

Baiju Raj, M.V., Director of Conservation Projects, Wildlife SOS – At the age of 3, Baiju knew more about the reptiles and critters that shared his home than most adults do in a lifetime. His passion for animals eventually led him to obtain a degree in zoology, after which he moved on to study marine geology and complete a PG Diploma in environmental science. Baiju is deeply involved in both the rescues and management of wild animals at Wildlife SOS rescue and care centres. He actively works with state forest departments and police in combating illegal wildlife trade as well as in legal prosecution assistance.

Selvaraj Ilayaraja, Deputy Director of Veterinary Services, Wildlife SOS – With vast experience in the field of veterinary care, rescue and rehabilitation of wildlife, Dr. Ilayaraja  has co-authored several papers on wildlife veterinary medicine, rehabilitation and conservation, as well presented his work at numerous conferences around the world, receiving awards for some of them. With a Post Graduate Diploma in Wild Animals Disease Management, Dr. Ilayaraja is Wildlife Veterinary Officer at the Agra Bear Rescue Facility and at the Elephant Conservation Care Centre.

Yaduraj Khadpekar, Assistant Director of Veterinary and Research, Wildlife SOS – Dr. Yaduraj completed his Bachelor of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, followed by Masters of Veterinary Science in Conservation Medicine at Murdoch University, Australia. He works with elephants and sloth bears, as well as many other wild animals that the organization regularly rescues and rehabilitates. Dr. Yaduraj is in charge of the Elephant Conservation and Care Centre and also India’s first Elephant Hospital in Mathura. He has led many elephant care and management workshops and elephant rescues and veterinary inspections throughout India.

Mahendra Dhore, Manager and Veterinary Assistant, Wildlife SOS – Mahendra has spent 16 years in the field of leopards focused on wildlife conservation. He started his wildlife journey with the Forest Department in 2005 as a Veterinary assistant and in 2007, then he connected with Wildlife SOS for the building of the leopard rescue centre in Manikdoh, Junnar.

Arun A Sha, Director of Research and Veterinary Operations, Wildlife SOS – Dr. Arun has led many rescue teams and rehabilitation efforts, and treated sloth bears, leopards, elephants, tigers and other wildlife. He has done pioneering work in research and publication, he has been part of over 18 International Publications and over 80 National Publications. Dr. Arun has attended many national and international seminars and workshops, and he was a TEDxMEC 2019 speaker.

Reed Harrison Nirula, Wildlife SOS Volunteer – Reed’s background is in sales, marketing, and creative endeavours. She has been volunteering with Wildlife SOS for the last 8 years, and focuses her efforts primarily on outreach, fundraising, building awareness and relationships, education and educational- related campaigns. As needed, she works with the animals in a hands-on capacity, and says it’s always a privilege to participate in such efforts.

Dr. Hezy Anholt, Wildlife SOS Volunteer Veterinarian – Hezy graduated from the Western College of Veterinarian Medicine and completed a veterinary zoo internship in 2016. Dr. Anholt is most passionate about conservation of biodiversity and spreading the message of “one health,” which recognizes that the health and wellbeing of all living things is interconnected. She has worked as a wildlife vet in Nigeria, Canada, Malawi, and India.

Dr. Paul Ramos, Wildlife SOS Volunteer Veterinarian – Paul is a wildlife veterinerian who has lived and worked across the world, looking after all sorts of creatures from critically endangered stick insects to majestic Asian elephants.  After receiving a Zoology degree he put on a backpack to travel the world for a year, 20 years ago. Along the way Paul became a vet, then a wildlife vet, and now he considers himself a passionate storyteller with one core message: we are all connected.