An American by birth and an Indian by heart, 73-years-old Romulus Earl Whitaker is a herpetologist and a wildlife conservationist. Because of his efforts, talks are on to establish the world's first conservation reserve for King Cobras in Karnataka.
One of deadliest species of snakes, King Cobras are widely found in South Asia and mostly in India's Agumbe rainforest of Western Ghats, Karnataka. This region also records the second highest rainfall in the country.
Who is Romulus?
This Emmy award receiver is the founder of the Madras Snake Park, the Andaman and Nicobar Environment Trust (ANET), and the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust. In 2005, he bagged Whitley Award for his work in environment conservation. After receiving this award, he founded Agumbe Rainforest Research Station (ARRS) to study the habitat and behavioural patterns of King Cobra.
The first encounter that Romulus had with a King Cobra was in 1971. He noted that Agumbe natives regarded the snake with reverence and care, although its one venomous bite can kill almost 20 people. He realised then that this was the perfect spot to set up a research centre.
A research centre & a safe haven
Anup Prakash, field director at ARRS said, "Functionally, the amount of respect and attention people here give to King Cobras compared to anywhere else in the world make it a sanctuary. However, officially there's no such status designated as such but we are hoping that will be so soon. We have applied to the concerned authorities." Discussions on sanctuary tag is on with stakeholders and forest departments, after which the proposal will be sent to the chief minister, who will need to sign it to make it official.
According to Dhiraj Bhaisare, research administrator at ARRS, they have learnt the impacts and effects of translocation of the King Cobras. Apart from this they have observed, the reptiles' feeding habits, scavenging & diving behaviour. "Besides this, we have followed their movement after dark when we found them feeding or hunting as late as two in the morning," adds Dhiraj.
(Have a story to tell? Write to us at WETHEVOICE@ZEEMEDIA.ESSELGROUP.COM)
ARRS performs rescue operations too
ARRS on an average receives two calls per day for rescue operation, often led by expert Ajay Vijay Giri, education officer.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Ajay Vijay Giri")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}