Welcome to WII-SACON
Sh. Narendra Modi
Hon’ble Prime Minister
Sh. Bhupender Yadav
for Environment, Forest & Climate Change
Sh. Kirti Vardhan Singh
Environment, Forest & Climate Change
WII-SACON
The Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON), now the South India Centre of the Wildlife Institute of India (WII-SACON), is a premier national institution dedicated to wildlife research, conservation, education and capacity building. Established in 1990 in honour of the legendary Indian ornithologist Dr Sálim Ali, the Centre is located at Anaikatty, Coimbatore, in the foothills of the Western Ghats.
With ornithology and natural history as its foundation, WII-SACON has evolved into a multidisciplinary centre undertaking research on biodiversity, wildlife ecology, conservation and human-wildlife interactions. The Centre also contributes to conservation planning, environmental assessment, training, academic programmes and public outreach. WII-SACON is also home to the Centre of Excellence for Human–Wildlife Conflict Management (CoE-HWCM), established to strengthen scientific approaches, capacity building and coordinated responses to human–wildlife conflict across the country. Through science-based research and collaboration with government agencies, academic institutions and other stakeholders, WII–SACON supports informed and effective conservation of India’s wildlife and natural heritage.
About Us
Salim Ali, who is known as the father of Indian Ornithology, took initiatives to establish a national institution which would take up the challenging tasks of developing expertise and knowledge in the field of ornithology and nature conservation.
SACON provides specialised infrastructure and facilities supporting research, conservation, environmental studies and ornithological work.
Academics 🌿
Preparing students to make meaningful contributions to society for the conservation of wildlife in India
M.Sc. Programme in Wildlife Science and Ornithology
WII-SACON, in collaboration with the Central University of Tamil Nadu (CUTN), Thiruvarur, Tamil Nadu, offers a specialised M.Sc. Programme in Wildlife Science and Ornithology. The programme provides students with an interdisciplinary understanding of wildlife science, biodiversity conservation and natural resource management through a combination of classroom learning, practical training and field-based studies. Students gain exposure to wildlife ecology, conservation biology, ornithology, field techniques, data analysis and wildlife management, along with opportunities to engage with ongoing research and conservation programmes at WII–SACON.
Ph.D. Programme
WII-SACON offers opportunities for doctoral research in wildlife science, ecology, conservation biology, ornithology and allied disciplines through its academic collaborations with Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, and Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, Karnataka. The programme provides scholars with an interdisciplinary research environment, access to field-based studies and scientific expertise, and opportunities to engage with ongoing research and conservation initiatives at WII–SACON. Doctoral scholars undertake research addressing contemporary challenges in wildlife conservation, biodiversity management and human–wildlife interactions, contributing to science-based knowledge and conservation practice.
WII-SACON Programmes
Connect With Us
The Centre of Excellence on Human-Wildlife Conflict at WII-SACON is taking science to the ground... Listening to communities, documenting conflict, and understanding its ecological and human Show more
Climbs of Field
From dining with our wildlife residents to waking up among the treetops, here are some unique experiences you can have with us.
