From snake enthusiast to conservation champion: The journey of the 'Serpent Warrior' in wildlife protection

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Moving to India from America as a child in the 1950s would have been a tough transition for most. However, for Romulus Whitaker, it was a dream come true. He excitedly shared with CNN that he had finally arrived in "the land of cobras."

Whitaker, also known as the "Snakeman of India," dedicated over six decades to researching and conserving reptiles. He has authored numerous books on snakes, initiated a life-saving anti-venom program, and established wildlife research stations across India.

Through his hands-on work with snakes and crocodiles, Whitaker's conservation endeavors played a crucial role in preserving India's rainforests.

Whitaker's main priority now is teaching people in India how to defend themselves against snakes, as part of a nationwide effort to lower the number of deaths caused by snakebites.

CNN caught up with Whitaker at his residence in Mysore, located in the southwest region of India, during the launch of the initial installment of his autobiography: "Snakes, Drugs and Rock 'n' Roll: My Early Years."

The following interview has been edited for length and clarity.

CNN: How did you first become interested in snakes?

A young Romulus Whitaker holds up a milk snake circa 1947 in Hoosick, New York.

A young Romulus Whitaker holds up a milk snake circa 1947 in Hoosick, New York.

Doris Norden

Whitaker: I started out as a very young lad in northern New York state, turning over rocks and finding bugs and stuff, until I found a snake, and it was love at first sight.

It all began back then. I have to give credit (or blame) to my mother for her reaction when I brought home my first snake. Instead of scolding me, she exclaimed, 'wow, how beautiful.' Not many mothers would have reacted that way.

When my mother married Rama Chattopadhyay and we moved to India, it was a life-changing experience for me. Imagine being just eight years old and arriving in Bombay, then having the opportunity to explore the jungles of India. These were the dreams I had as a young child, and they were finally coming true.

CNN: What does a herpetologist do and what was your journey to becoming one?

Romulus Whitaker (L) pictured here with mentor Bill Haast (R) at the Miami Serpentarium, where Whitaker learned how to extract venom from a snake.

Romulus Whitaker (L) pictured here with mentor Bill Haast (R) at the Miami Serpentarium, where Whitaker learned how to extract venom from a snake.

Heyward Clamp

Whitaker: A herpetologist is someone who studies reptiles. I have mainly focused on snakes and crocodiles, but I find all reptiles fascinating, including turtles, lizards, frogs, and toads.

I have been passionate about this field since I was just four years old when I held my first snake. In 1960, I was attending college in the United States, but unfortunately, I failed. I then found a job at the Miami Serpentarium, where I worked for a man named Bill Haast. He was skilled at handling king cobras and extracting their venom.

I developed a strong fascination for king cobras, which led me to want to return to India and study them in the Western Ghats region where they still thrive.

In 1969, I established India's inaugural snake park, the Madras Snake Park. Through our research, we have uncovered valuable insights into the behavior and lifestyle of king cobras, surpassing any previous knowledge available.

CNN: Have you ever encountered a snake that scared you?

Whitaker: I can't say that I've ever been frightened by a snake. However, there have been moments where I have been scared of my own actions, like the time I mistook a king cobra for a harmless rat snake. I saw what I thought was a black-tailed snake slithering into the bushes and impulsively grabbed its tail, only to realize it was a venomous king cobra. That was definitely a scary moment for me. So, yes, I do get scared sometimes.

Whitaker: I first got involved with the indigenous Irula tribe in South India to help create anti-venom for snake bites. The Irulas are experts in finding and catching snakes, but their main source of income, which was catching snakes for their skins, was no longer viable after the snakeskin industry was banned in 1972.

Together, we came up with the idea to establish the Irula Snake Catchers Cooperative. In this cooperative, the Irulas would catch snakes from the wild, extract the venom, and then release the snakes back into their natural habitat. The venom extracted was then used to produce anti-venom, which has been instrumental in saving countless lives.

An Indian snake-catcher extracts venom from a cobra at the Irula Snake Catchers Cooperative on the outskirts of Chennai, India.

An Indian snake-catcher extracts venom from a cobra at the Irula Snake Catchers Cooperative on the outskirts of Chennai, India.

Arun Sankar/AFP via Getty Images

CNN: Today a big focus of your work is preventing snakebites in the first place. Tell us more about that.

Whitaker: Recently, we have discovered that close to 50,000 people in India are killed by snake bites every year. This information came from the Million Deaths Study conducted by the Centre for Global Health Research and the University of Toronto. I have had the opportunity to be a coauthor of two major papers from this study.

Now that we have this data, our focus is on implementing a nationwide educational program to teach people how to avoid snakes and prevent getting bitten. The methods are straightforward and easy to follow. For example, using a light when walking at night, sleeping under a mosquito net, and using a stick instead of bare hands when working in the fields to avoid snake encounters. By educating people on these simple practices, we hope to reduce the number of snake-related deaths and injuries.

Whitaker: In the early stages of my career, my focus was not on conservation. I was more interested in hunting, being the kid who carried a gun and shot birds instead of observing them.

In the 1970s, I made the transition from being a hunter to a conservationist when I saw how dire the situation was with crocodiles being on the brink of extinction. It was clear that action needed to be taken.

Realizing that conservation was the only way to save what was left, I, along with my colleagues, established field stations. These stations have become hubs for individuals interested in working with reptiles. Many of the people who have trained at these stations have gone on to become some of India's leading conservationists.

Romulus Whitaker teaches the next generation about reptiles at his conservation organization, Agumbe Rainforest Research Station, in southern India.

Romulus Whitaker teaches the next generation about reptiles at his conservation organization, Agumbe Rainforest Research Station, in southern India.

Cedric Bregnard

CNN: You’re currently working on a three-part memoir. What would you like your legacy to be?

Whitaker: Despite being known as a "snake freak," I am proud of the impact I have had in changing people's perception of snakes. It's amazing to see how a once feared and avoided creature has now become fascinating and trendy. Snakes are ruling the scene!

It fills me with joy to see that many young individuals have been inspired to work with reptiles and continue the wonderful work. It's truly heartwarming.

Editor's P/S:

Romulus Whitaker's dedication to herpetology and conservation is truly inspiring. His journey from a young boy fascinated by snakes to a renowned "Snakeman of India" demonstrates the profound impact that one person can have on the understanding and preservation of our natural world. Whitaker's work with the Irula tribe to develop anti-venom programs and his efforts to educate people about snakebite prevention have undoubtedly saved countless lives.

Furthermore, Whitaker's transition from hunter to conservationist highlights the importance of evolving our perspectives and taking action to protect endangered species. His establishment of field stations and his mentorship of young conservationists are ensuring that his legacy will continue to inspire future generations. Whitaker's passion for snakes and his unwavering commitment to their conservation serve as a reminder of the interconnectedness of all living things and the crucial role we play in safeguarding the planet's biodiversity.