John Thorbjarnarson, R. I. P.

John Thorbjarnarson, 52, a Leading Expert on Crocodiles - Obituary (Obit) - NYTimes.com: "John Thorbjarnarson went on to become one of the world’s leading experts on crocodiles and alligators. He also came up with strategies to help preserve crocodilian species that were on the verge of extinction when he went to work a quarter century ago.

Then, 20 of 23 species teetered on the edge of oblivion. Now, seven do.

Dr. Thorbjarnarson, a herpetologist, died at the age of 52 on Feb. 15 in New Delhi. The Wildlife Conservation Society, his employer, said he had contracted malaria while studying the dwarf caiman, a crocodile cousin, in Uganda. He died of the disease after coming to India to speak to a wildlife group."

Hat tip to Toby O'Brien at Inner Toob.