Romulus Whitaker, a Padma Shri awardee and one of India’s most respected herpetologists, has played a transformative role in reptile conservation. He founded the Madras Snake Park and co-founded the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust and ANET, institutions that continue to shape research and public engagement with reptiles in India. His major publications include Snakes of India, Lizards, Snakes, Drugs and Rock 'n' Roll: My Early Years, and Kachue Aur Magar, reflecting both his field expertise and personal journey with wildlife.

Internationally honoured with recognitions such as the Rolex Awards for Enterprise and the Whitley Award, Whitaker also established the Agumbe Rainforest Research Station, a pioneering centre for king cobra research and rainforest studies. He has served in advisory roles with bodies including the Bombay Natural History Society and the IUCN/SSC Snake Specialist Group, strengthening conservation initiatives nationwide.

A passionate communicator, he brought reptile science to wider audiences through films such as The Boy and the Crocodile (Dost Magarmacch) and the Emmy-winning documentary King Cobra for National Geographic.