iHerp_Australia_-_May_-_June_2018

The Agumbe Rainforest Research Station is currently
offering a unique opportunity for herping enthusiasts
from around the world to participate in Phase II of
their King Cobra Ecology and Conservation project
(KCEC). Founded by leading Indian herpetologist
Romulus Whitaker in 2005, the ARRS is situated
inside the Agumbe Reserved Forest in southern
India’s Western Ghats, and is an eco-friendly facility
that conducts a wide variety of field-based research
projects as well as education and outreach in the local
community.

The ARRS was responsible for the world’s first radio-
telemetry project involving King Cobras
(Ophoiophagus hannah), which was also the first of its
kind in India. Insight gained from this study is already

being used in management of King Cobras in the

region.

Recently, the ARRS embarked on a second phase of

King Cobra radio-telemetry, and is recruiting

volunteers to assist with tracking and observation.

This project consists of implanting King Cobras with

transmitters and tracking them, using receivers,

through their natural habitat to learn about the

habits, biology and conservation of these remarkable

creatures.

The primary questions to be answered involve

foraging patterns, home range, habitat utilization,

diet, interaction with other King Cobras and, hope-

fully, recording nest building, nest mainte-

nance and attendance by the females.

Food and accommodation will be provided

with basic amenities. The volunteers will be

living in the midst of rainforests at the ARRS

field station near the village of Agumbe.

Primary selection criteria are physical fitness

(for field work), a willingness to work during

challenging weather conditions, a passion for

conservation, and a minimum commitment

period of one month.

This important and exciting phase of the

project commenced March 2018 and should

run for a couple of years, based on the battery

life of the transmitters. More volunteers are

required and slots are now open until

September 2018.

Rom Whitaker and his dedicated

team are world leaders in the study

of King Cobra ecology. This would

be an amazing, once in a lifetime

experience for anyone with an

interest in herpetology, and iHerp

Australia would love to hear from

any of our readers who become

involved. If you are interested,

please contact:

[email protected].

The King Needs

Unique opportunity to assist in

King Cobra field research.

Above left: Dr Matt Goode briefing

first-toime King Cobra radio

trackers. Image by Rom Whitaker.

Left: courting pair of King Cobras,

western Ghats, south India. Image

courtesy ARRS.

YOU!

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