Snake killing in these properties ceased as the staff were successfully trained by him in the art of catching these reptiles using equipment specially manufactured – or even imported- for the purpose. During the same time he also conducted lectures on snakes for the foreign tourists staying at these resorts. Nowadays Rahul conducts his own bird and snake excursions into some of the best wildlife a
reas of Goa. For his early training, Rahul worked at the Pune Snake Park under Neelim Kumar Khaire and later, at the Mammallapuram Crocodile Farm under world renowned herpetologist, Romulus Whitaker. During this period, he also worked with the Irula tribe in Mammallapuram and trained to handle venomous snakes. He later traveled to Thailand and Malaysia to gain experience in handling King Cobras. Rahul has been retrieving snakes from human habitations in north Goa (Arpora, Calangute, Candolim, Porvorim, Panjim, etc.) for the last fifteen years. Till date, he has succeeded in rescuing more than 1500 snakes. During his spare time, he edits an on-line newsletter on this work called The Creepy Times. His other interests include bodybuilding and motorcycles. From time to time he performs as a rock singer as well. Rahul’s first book, Free From School, is published by the Other India Press and is a great inspiration for both parents and children keen to take a break from the burden of formal, academic studies. His second book, The Call of the Snake is a collection of his snake rescue stories in Goa. It also contains, in addition, critically useful information about snakes and how you can survive a venomous snake-bite. Rahul has been featured on several TV channels including Channel V, Times Now, Goa 365, and Doordarshan. He also makes his own films the first one of which ‘The Bushmaster’ was released 2005. The second one ‘The Good, the Bad, and the Enfield’ is in the process of filming.. Rahul has a Bachelor’s degree in Zoology and an M.Sc in Ecology and Environmental Sciences. In 2004, he was selected for the ‘The Young Naturalist Award’ by Sanctuay and ABN- Amro Bank. In 2008 he was selected for the ‘Carl Zeiss Wildlife Commitment’ Award.
