J. C. Daniel (naturalist)

Jivanayakam Cyril Daniel (born Nagercoil, 9 July 1927 – died Mumbai, 23 August 2011), or J.C., as he was known,[1] was an Indian naturalist, and the author of several acclaimed books on birds, mammals, and reptiles.[2]

This article is about the naturalist. For the filmmaker, see J. C. Daniel.

Life and work

Influenced early in his life by Sálim Ali, he 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 elected an Honorary Member and was also its Honorary Secretary.

His books include The Book of Indian Reptiles and A Century of Natural History and Conservation in Developing Countries. He co-authored Indian Wildlife - Insight Guides Lion Section. He revised Ali's Book of Indian Birds for its 12th edition, published in 1996.[3]

He was also executive editor of the Society's journal and the initiator of the Hornbill magazine.

He was diagnosed with cancer and died on 23 August 2011.

Legacy

J.C. Daniel is commemorated in the scientific name of species of lizard, Bronchocela danieli.[4]

References
  1. "J.C. Daniel: Naturalist extraordinaire". Sanctuary Asia Interviews. April 2000. Archived from the original on 17 May 2008. Retrieved 20 April 2007.
  2. "Conservationist JC Daniel dies of cancer". Times of India. 25 August 2011. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
  3. Ali, Salim; J. C. Daniel (1983). The book of Indian Birds, Twelfth Centenary edition. New Delhi: Bombay Natural History Society/Oxford University Press.
  4. Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. ("Daniel, J.C.", p. 65).
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