Mysore/Mysuru: H.P. Ashwin (45), a wildlife photographer, filmmaker, naturalist and a resident of K.R. Mohalla in Mysuru, passed away following a heart attack at Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu yesterday night. A bachelor, he is survived by his mother and younger brother.

The body is expected to arrive in city at about 8.30 pm today. Last rites will be held at the foot of Chamundi Hill at 10 am tomorrow (Jan. 8), according to sources.

An avid wildlife photographer, Ashwin has also made wildlife films. He has made documentaries on a huge range of Indian wildlife, from king cobras to elephants.

After conducting research for many years, including base line studies of mammals in a tiger reserve and working in more than 20 villages on mitigating conflicts between humans and elephants, Ashwin was actively involved as a naturalist. He has also worked with organisations like Wildlife Worldwide and Wilderness Travel  as a trip leader.