From hunter to guardian: How the ‘Snakeman of India’ found his way into wildlife conservation

Romulus Whitaker made a name for himself as a snake expert, and later, an advocate to save rainforests. Now he’s leading a campaign about snake bite prevention.

Moving from America to India as a child in the 1950s would likely be a challenging experience for most, but for Romulus Whitaker it was a dream come true — he had arrived in “the land of cobras,” he explained to CNN. Whitaker would go on to earn the nickname “Snakeman of India,” and spend more than six decades dedicated to reptile research and conservation. He’s written several books on snakes, spearheaded a lifesaving anti-venom program, and launched wildlife research stations throughout the country. His field work with snakes and crocodiles ultimately led his conservation efforts to help save India’s rainforests. Today, Whitaker’s focus is on educating Indians on how to protect themselves from snakes — part of a national campaign to reduce the snakebite mortality rate. CNN spoke with Whitaker recently at his home in Mysore, southwestern India, around the release of the first volume of his memoir: “Snakes, Drugs and Rock ‘n’ Roll: My Early Years.” The following interview has been edited for length and clarity.