Indian wildlife expert and author Vivek Menon has been elected as the new Chair of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Species Survival Commission (SSC) — becoming the first Asian to hold the position in the commission’s 75-year history. The announcement was made during the IUCN World Conservation Congress held in Abu Dhabi.
Menon, a leading voice in wildlife conservation and Founder-Executive Director of the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), will lead the SSC for the 2025–2029 term, guiding a global network of over 11,000 species experts working to conserve biodiversity and influence international policy.
“My goal is to strengthen the SSC into a more resilient, inclusive, and globally impactful network that drives action and shapes policy,” said Menon. “I believe in the power of this global network of experts united by a shared passion for life on Earth, and as Chair, I will lead it with integrity, transparency, and dedication.”
With a career spanning more than three decades, Menon has worked across 50 countries, advancing key conservation efforts against illegal wildlife trade, supporting species recovery programmes, and advising major global bodies such as CITES and UNESCO. His work has helped establish wildlife reserves in Myanmar and influence conservation policies at both national and international levels.
In India, Menon has been instrumental in founding five major conservation organisations, including WTI, which has identified and protected elephant corridors, led anti-poaching and wildlife crime training, and implemented rehabilitation programmes for threatened species.
Internationally, Menon has held several roles within the IUCN — serving as Councillor, Chair of the Asian Elephant Specialist Group, Chair of the Governance and Constituency Committee, and member of multiple specialist groups focusing on rhinos, cats, and medicinal plants. His association with IUCN spans more than 25 years, reflecting deep engagement with global biodiversity governance.
An accomplished author and photographer, Menon has published ten wildlife books, including the best-selling Indian Mammals: A Field Guide, which inspired a new generation of Indian naturalists. His work has earned him several global honours, including the Clark R. Bavin Award (2019), Whitley Continuation Award (2018), and Samskara RoundGlass Lifetime Achievement Award (2017).
Menon’s election marks a significant shift in IUCN’s leadership — extending its representation to Asia and the Global South while reinforcing the SSC’s commitment to science-based, inclusive, and action-oriented species conservation.
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