Gowrishankar, founder director of Kalinga Centre for Rainforest Ecology (KCRE), says that he never looks at a snake with a pre-conceived idea that it is dangerous. By Team Viva
Could you describe that moment when you actually look into the eyes of a dangerous snake? When was the first time you felt a personal connection with snakes?
I don’t look at a snake with a pre-conceived idea that it is ‘dangerous’. I look at it with respect. Every time I look into the eyes of the king cobra, I feel a connection and it helps me gauge its character. I have come to realise that each snake has a character of its own. The first time I felt a connection was during my college when I used to visit Bannerghatta National Park (in Bengaluru) and spend many hours observing king cobras in the enclosure. Though by this time I had caught many other snakes, it was the king cobra I felt a connection with.
Tell us about some dangerous and miraculous experiences you have had. What is more dangerous — to rescue snakes in the wild or in the city?
We need to understand that a snake is true to what it is. It’s us who place ourselves in dangerous encounters. Some most challenging rescues were when I had to rescue a king cobra from a well and the other was when I had to remove one from a rooftop.
We only rescue a snake if it is near human proximity. In the wild, the snake has ample space and opportunity to escape and find refuge in other spaces still close to other homes. While in big cities, the challenges are with narrow spaces where the rescuer needs to manoeuver the snake efficiently to ensure that it isn’t beaten or stressed. Hence, both places have their challenges and cannot be compared. In both cases, the rescuer must ensure the snake is least stressed.
How close have you ever come to death?
Every time you rescue a king cobra, you are in a way facing death. This is because there is no anti-venom for king cobra bites in the country. I have rescued over 350 king cobras, which means I have died 350 times already if the king cobras decide to bite me but they don’t. I was bitten by a king cobra in 2005. I survived as it was only a scratch and the snake did not pump in enough venom in me. That was the closest call. I think my superpowers are knowledge, respect and patience.
How different is it to encounter a king cobra as compared to other dangerous snakes? Do you see it as a majestic creature?
King cobra is undoubtedly a majestic creature. Being the longest venomous snake, one which stands on ground and stares into your eyes, possessing a huge quantity of venom that can deliver a fatal bite, and its unwavering demeanour, sets it apart from all other snakes. Fear is not a word I would associate with my encounters or engagement with king cobras. I would rather call it respect as this snake commands it.
Tell us about the making of this show — about the crew and how they work with you in the wild.
This show has been a great learning platform for me. I had previously worked as a snake wrangler in other documentaries but this experience of being involved right from the planning to the completion stage was like attending a university. The team was highly experienced, with great knowledge and understanding about the subject and most importantly, very accommodating and willing to help a relatively novice person on the sets. The producer-director Harry Marshall was very creative. He would sketch out scenes that not only helped us coordinate and deliver what was expected but also reduced the risk which usually comes when you are working with subjects like a king cobra. Alphonse Roy is a remarkable cinematographer and by far, one of the best I have seen. He delivered with a lot of patience and was very calm. Romulus Whitaker I would say is like a walking university. He had so much knowledge to share, not just about the snakes but various aspects. He would keep the team entertained with his witty and funny jokes. This documentary was also a great way to network.
How do you communicate with your team in the presence of a snake?
Communicating in the presence of snakes was not tough at all as snakes cannot hear. This allowed us to speak and interact during shots and we did not have to worry about disturbing the snake with our voice. We only had to ensure that we did not make quick and sudden movements in front of the snake.
What kinds of secrets about snakes did you discover in your own teenage years, which you can share now?
Amazingly, snakes form a pivotal character in the stories that we have listened to from our grandparents. For me, these stories did not frighten, instead they intrigued me. Probably that is why I sought to know more as I grew up. At 13, when I caught my first snake, I realised that snakes did not come back to take revenge or chase you. Instead, if given a chance, they will try to escape.
As for the secrets, they are now in the open for all to know if only they care to learn. I urge the younger generation today to take that extra step to learn the facts and not blindly follow exaggerations in films, many of which still bank on creating fear by representing reptiles as monsters and dangerous species.
How did you begin the radio telemetry project to study king cobras? What were your biggest challenges and your most important lessons?
Romulus Whitaker started the King Cobra Radio Telemetry project at Agumbe and I was instrumental in getting it off ground and running it by supporting in various capacities.
Challenges were in finding snakes and tracking them every minute of the day from dawn to dusk. The biggest challenge was the relentless monsoon that typically lasts for four to five months. During this time, keeping equipment dry, trekking on tough terrains, health issues and keeping oneself dry to avoid fungus growing, became a task. During summer, ticks were a challenge. Since trackers were required to venture deep into forests, it was important to keep the anti-Naxal squad in the loop all the time. I had to build trust and convince people to accommodate trackers to pass/camp through their lands.
An important lesson was to keep the focus on the snake at any cost. And also make sure you don’t step on other venomous snakes like common cobras, kraits, malabar pit viper and get bitten.
Give us your thoughts about Rom Whitaker. How do you look up to him in this field of study?
I have worked with Rom for 10 years. He is like a godfather and a walking university from whom I have learnt a lot. That kind of knowledge, perception and vision cannot be found in any book. He would list out things to be done and give me a lot of freedom and had faith in my work. I have travelled many times with him over the years.
(King Cobra and I stars on Sony BBC Earth.)