Jose Louies – Chief of Enforcement | Wildlife Trust of India

Jose Louies – Chief of Enforcement

One of the most versatile members of Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), Jose is the Chief of Enforcement and leads the division that handles wildlife trade control and litigation, arguably the most ‘glamourous’ positions in the organisation.

A graduate in computer sciences, Jose started his career in a multi-national company, working as a network techie. For about six years, he spent time fixing computers, crashed hard drives, dealing with network security issues and teaching how to fix computers & install networks.

However, his passion for wildlife, that was evident since his childhood, took over. Things changed for him when he rescued a baby cobra with Snehal Bhatt in Vadodara. Soon, he found himself rescuing snakes and other reptiles in and around Vadodara, working as a volunteer for GSPCA. This lasted for two years, and then, he moved to Delhi.

“As a kid, I had all kinds of pets – a mouse, birds, and occasionally baby snakes kept in glass bottles hidden behind books in my room” he recalls fondly.

“I cannot keep track of how many times I tried to explain to my mother that the baby snakes were harmless and they are to be released in the wild. Each time getting good scores in the class was rewarded with permission to keep one more pet at home (the only clause….no snakes!),” he chuckles.

In Delhi, Jose joined Wildlife SOS, and started exploring various avenues of wildlife conservation. Eventually, in 2007, Jose joined WTI in the communications division. His knowledge of computers and wildlife in general, helped him grow quickly within the organisation. Soon, he was handling the Wild Aid Programme, facilitating Rapid Action Projects across the country.

Described by his colleagues, as an adrenaline junkie, Jose is not one to be bound in a desk job. He soon moved on to enforcement work to minimise poaching and trade in wildlife.

“I enjoy my work as it is round the clock, includes a lot of travel and occasional testing of nerve and wits,” he adds.

In line with his adventurous inclinations, Jose loves photography and biking. He also has a keen eye for online marketing, which he uses for some fund raising for the organisation.

ABOUT TEAM WTI

What began as a three-member team in a small room in south Delhi in 1998, is today a family of about 150 professionals from diverse backgrounds - conservation biologists, scientists, sociologists, wildlife veterinarians, managers, lawyers, finance experts and communication specialists - but committed to the common cause of wildlife. They are based in any of the 15 field stations in remote parts of the country and a central coordinating office in the national capital region. An Executive Management Team comprising experienced conservationists, scientists and managers provide a visionary leadership to the vibrant and enthusiastic WTI team. The Board of Trustees of WTI comprises stalwarts who bring together a collective experience of many decades in the field of conservation, education and management.