17 Facts About Romulus Whitaker

Romulus Earl Whitaker was born on 23 May 1943 and is an American-born Indian herpetologist, wildlife conservationist, and founder of the Madras Snake Park, the Andaman and Nicobar Environment Trust, and the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust.

In 2008, Whitaker was selected as an associate laureate in the 2008 Rolex Awards for Enterprise for his efforts to create a network of rainforest research stations throughout India.

Romulus Whitaker used this award to found the Agumbe Rainforest Research Station in Karnataka, for the study of king cobras and their habitat.

Romulus Whitaker was born in New York City, United States, to an American couple.

Romulus Whitaker's mother, Doris Norden, was an artist, and his father served in the United States Army.

In 1974, Romulus Whitaker married Zai Romulus Whitaker, and the couple had two sons, Nikhil and Samir.

Romulus Whitaker later married again and his wife, Janaki Lenin, is an Indian.

Romulus Whitaker is a licensed amateur radio operator, holding an Indian callsign, VU2WIT.

Romulus Whitaker was the founding director of the Snake Park in Chennai.

Romulus Whitaker helped the Irula tribe to get involved in extracting snake venom used for the production of antivenom drugs.

Romulus Whitaker is currently coordinating an effort to save the gharial, a critically endangered species of Crocodilia on the brink of extinction, with less than 250 individuals left in Indian waters.

Romulus Whitaker is a member of the advisory committee and the editorial board of the Bombay Natural History Society, correspondent of The Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, USA, advisor of Irula Tribal Women's' Welfare Society, Afforestation Project, member of the Centre for Science and Education, New Delhi, and of the Centre for Environment Education, Ahmedabad.

Romulus Whitaker co-founded the Tamil Nadu Society for Social Forestry Research and the Palni Hills Conservation Council.

Romulus Whitaker is chief technical advisor of Irula Snake Catchers' Industrial Cooperative Society and convenor of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Chapter.

Romulus Whitaker was producer of the 1996,53-minute, Super 16-mm wildlife documentary, The King and I, made for the National Geographic Channel Explorer program.

In January 2009, Romulus Whitaker was in another Nature documentary on real-life reptiles, such as Komodo dragons and dracos that inspired tales of dragons.

Romulus Whitaker has authored several scientific articles and popular books on reptiles, especially on snakes, including the comprehensive field guide, titled Snakes of India - The Field Guide in 2004.