Reptile Field Researchers South Asia - Zoo Outreach Organisation

Field researchEstablished a field station for state-wide crocodile studies and surveys in the Nilgiris Districtof Tamil Nadu.Designed, directed and conducted a three year survey and study on the conservation andbiology of mugger crocodiles in natural and altered habitats.Freshwater turtles and tortoise - captive breeding and field researchCaptive breeding, egg incubation studies of freshwater turtles and tortoises.Directed and collaborated on a two-year study on the reproductive biology and conservationof freshwater turtles in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, including egg incubation studies.Lizards - captive breeding and researchSince 1987, I have conducted studies on the breeding biology, growth and reproductive effortof water monitor lizards.Other projects involved in and affiliated to the centre for Herpetology, Madras Crocodile BankTrustIrula Snake Catcher's Cooperative Society (a tribal self-help Society involved in snake, ratcatchingand venom extraction)Job Profile [Position: Manager and Technical Advisor]Managed and assisted in the setting up of the Cooperative in 1983.Infrastructure design and development of snake display exhibit and venom extraction centre.Training Irula tribals in laboratory use, venom processing, record keeping, data collection andsnake releases.Andaman and Nicobar Islands Environment Team, Centre for Island Ecology (ANET/CIE),division of the Centre for Herpetology, Madras Crocodile Bank Trust (an island-basedconservation research and public education centre)Formulating captive breeding proposals for the local zoo.Conducting herpetological studies and population status surveys of endangered fauna andhabitats in the islands.ConsultanciesInternational Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) NepalSurvey of crocodilians and wetlands of Nepal.Publications:1986. Preliminary report on mugger breeding at MCBT for 1986. Hamadryad 11(1.2): 2.1986. Mugger, caiman saltwater crocodile breeding at the Madras Crocodile Bank.Hamadryad 11(3): 10-12.1986. Variation in egg and clutch size of mugger in different age groups. Hamadryad 11(3):13-14.Lang, J.W., R. Whitaker and H.V. Andrews 1986. Male parental care in mugger crocodiles.Nat. Geogr. Res. 2(4): 519-525.1987. A note on the mugger breeding and nesting activities at the Croc Bank. Hamadryad12(2): 17-18.1988. A bumper crop of mugger. Hamadryad 13(1): 2-3.Andrews, H.V. and R. Whitaker, 1988. A note on gharial oviduct extrusion while nesting atthe Madras Crocodile Bank. Hamadryad 13(2): 20-21.