| Kerala Veterinary & Animal Sciences University | INDIA

Dr. T. S. Rajeev is a distinguished veterinary academician, researcher, elephant-health specialist, and administrator associated with the Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU), Kerala. He currently serves as Professor in the Department of Veterinary & Animal Husbandry Extension Education, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, and as Director of Entrepreneurship at KVASU. His professional career includes approximately four years of service as a Veterinary Surgeon in the Animal Husbandry Department, Government of Kerala, followed by academic appointments as Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and Professor.

Dr. Rajeev has also undertaken several important university responsibilities, including Director of Students Welfare for 4 years and 6 months, NSS Coordinator for 4 years and 6 months, and Public Relations Officer for 1 year and 4 months. He has served as Project Leader and Director of the Centre for Elephant Studies, KVASU, for approximately 11 years.

Research & Scientific Contributions

Dr. Rajeev's research interests are particularly focused on veterinary extension education, elephant health and management, captive elephant behaviour, wildlife healthcare, animal welfare, livestock development, technology transfer, and community-oriented veterinary services. He has published 21 research papers and has presented research at state, national, and international scientific conferences.

His scientific contributions include studies on captive elephant diseases, behavioural patterns, musth-related violence, mahout knowledge and professional practices, elephant health management, immobilization protocols, livestock extension, and innovative communication systems for technology transfer. His work on the clinical management of captive Asian elephants has also been presented at international professional conferences.

Elephant Healthcare & Wildlife Expertise

A major dimension of Dr. Rajeev's professional career is his specialized expertise in elephant healthcare and management. He has served on expert committees constituted by the Animal Welfare Board of India and has participated in assessments of the physical and mental health of elephants in different parts of India.

He has provided professional expertise in cases involving elephants in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Goa, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, and other locations. He has also served as an expert witness in the United States and undertaken assignments involving elephant rehabilitation, wildlife healthcare, rescue, translocation, clinical care, and welfare assessment.

His professional responsibilities have included expert assessment of captive and wild elephants, consultation for an elephant rehabilitation centre, participation in clinical healthcare teams, and leadership related to elephant safety arrangements during major public events.

Books, Training Materials & Scholarly Publications

Dr. Rajeev has contributed to books, chapters, research reports, training manuals, curricula, and extension publications. His notable works include “Captive Elephant Management in Kerala”, training curricula and functional-literacy programmes for elephant mahouts, manuals on advanced elephant healthcare and management for veterinarians, and publications concerning agro-ecological zones and livestock development.

He has also contributed to research reports addressing techno-economic feasibility of dairying and allied animal husbandry activities, livestock-rearing systems, agricultural linkages, and training programmes for elephant keepers.

Awards, Fellowships & Professional Recognition

Dr. Rajeev has received recognition at state, national, university, and international levels. His notable honours include:

  • Young Scientist Award, 21st Kerala State Science Congress, Government of Kerala, 2009.
  • Krishi Vigyan Award – Best Agricultural Scientist, 2011–12, Government of Kerala.
  • Appreciation award from the Government of Chhattisgarh for veterinary expertise and advice concerning a wild-caught elephant, 2017.
  • Murray Fowler Conference Fellowship, supported by the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians (AAZV), including a USD 2,000 fellowship to attend the AAZV Annual Conference in Prague, 2018.
  • VIRA 2019 Distinguished Scientist in Veterinary Extension, Venus International Foundation, Chennai.
  • Recognition as Best Veterinarian in Elephant Healthcare Management – Modern Medicine, 2019.
  • Adarsh Vidya Saraswati Rashtriya Puraskar, 2021.
  • Multiple university-level Achiever's Awards and professional appreciations for academic, administrative, extension, flood-relief, student-orientation, and institutional activities.

Professional Memberships & Expert Engagement

Dr. Rajeev has been associated with professional organizations including the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians, Indian Veterinary Association, Society of Extension Education, and Veterinarians Welfare Society. He has also served on expert and advisory committees involving animal welfare, livestock management, elephant healthcare, veterinary extension, and institutional planning.

His professional assignments include work with the Animal Welfare Board of India, Kerala Government departments, university committees, forest and wildlife authorities, judicially constituted expert committees, and other public institutions.

International Exposure

Dr. Rajeev has participated in international training and professional programmes, including training at the University of Reading, United Kingdom, as well as international workshops and conferences related to veterinary extension, teaching methodologies, research-extension linkages, zoo animal management, and elephant healthcare.

Institutional Leadership & Social Contribution

Beyond research and clinical veterinary practice, Dr. Rajeev has contributed extensively to student welfare, university administration, extension activities, capacity building, flood-relief coordination, orientation programmes, faculty development, and community-oriented veterinary initiatives. His work demonstrates an interdisciplinary connection between veterinary science, animal welfare, wildlife conservation, education, extension, and public service.

Eligibility for Nobel Research Award

Based on the achievements provided, Dr. T. S. Rajeev demonstrates a substantial record of veterinary research, scientific publications, elephant-health expertise, international professional exposure, academic leadership, and recognition at state, national, and international levels. His long-standing contributions to elephant healthcare and management, veterinary extension education, animal welfare, and applied veterinary science provide a strong professional basis for consideration for a Nobel Research Award in Scientific Laurels.

His combination of scientific research, specialized wildlife and elephant-health expertise, academic leadership, professional recognition, publications, international engagement, and service-oriented veterinary contributions makes him a notable candidate for recognition in the field of Veterinary Science, Animal Welfare, Wildlife Healthcare, and Veterinary Extension.