Remembering the ‘Turtle Girl’ Who Proved One Person Can Change the Course of Conservation

In 1975, a 19-YO zoology student named J. Vijaya—Viji—joined Madras Snake Park as a volunteer. Her journey would redefine India’s conservation landscape, proving that one person could ignite systemic change.

Viji’s early days were unglamorous: cleaning enclosures, protecting animals from unruly visitors, and managing office tasks. Yet, her dedication caught the eye of herpetologist Romulus Whitaker, setting her on a path few Indian women had walked.

In 1980, at 22, Viji became India’s first woman herpetologist. IUCN’s Freshwater Chelonian Group enlisted her for a nationwide turtle survey—a rare opportunity in a male-dominated field.

From the dacoit-infested ravines of Chambal to the meat markets of east India, Viji fearlessly documented the mass slaughter of olive ridley turtles.

Her stark black-and-white photos exposed rampant poaching in Digha beach: thousands of Olive Ridley turtles were butchered for meat and leather. The images became India’s first media exposé on the crisis.

PM Indira Gandhi intervened swiftly, banning sea turtle exploitation. The Coast Guard was tasked with enforcement — a policy still upheld today. Viji’s work proved journalism and science could catalyze policy.

Next, Viji pursued the “lost” forest cane turtle (Heosemys silvatica), unseen since 1911. With only vague records of its habitat near Kerala’s Chalakudy, she partnered with Kadar tribal elders to navigate dense, unmapped forests.

In July 1982, after weeks of searching, Viji rediscovered the cane turtle. Her fieldwork debunked myths: the species ate insects, not just plants. She established the first captive breeding program for it, ensuring its survival.

Viji’s innovation shone in adversity. With no funding for radio trackers, she glued thread spools to turtle shells to study their movement. Her low-tech method mapped home ranges and daily patterns—a breakthrough in Indian wildlife biology.

For months, she lived alone in a forest, inhabiting a leopard-abandoned cave. Her budget? ₹900/month. Yet, she notch-marked 125 turtles, expanding known habitats to Karnataka’s Agumbe and Kerala’s Neyyar Sanctuary.

Tragedy struck in April 1987. At 28, Viji was found dead in the Kerala forests she loved. The cause remains unknown. Her legacy, however, was just beginning.

In 2006, the forest cane turtle was reclassified as 'Vijayachelys silvatica'—a genus honoring her. DNA analysis confirmed its uniqueness, much like Viji herself: a pioneer who redefined conservation against all odds