Kings, Kestrels and Kundadri!

Agumbe Rainforest Research Station

By the end of March, Agumbe gets quite hot and dry. However, the rainforests in the valleys along small hill streams are still very pleasant and a lot of the wildlife begins to accumulate closer to the water. This is also the time when many species will start their courtship and mating to have progeny in time with the onset of the Monsoon. One elusive species in particular, becomes suddenly conspicuous!

The king cobra is worshipped in this region. This is probably the reason that Agumbe has arguably the highest density of king cobras in the country. The Agumbe Rainforest Research Station (ARRS) was initially set up to study and conserve the king cobra in the region. To date, ARRS personnel have removed over a hundred king cobras from potential conflict with humans and protected and monitored nests each year spreading awareness about this species and others that share this amazing habitat. ARRS also initiated and runs the first and only radio telemetry study on king cobras.

ARRS also conducts various other research projects and now also has a fully automatic weather station that will contribute data to meteorological and climate change studies.

The Gerry Martin Project is conducting a workshop on Reptile Conservation and Research using the king cobra as its focus but including all the aspects of the fieldwork that the Station is conducting.         

The group will leave Bangalore on an overnight bus to Agumbe on the 25^th of March and begin a terrific experience. The focus of this workshop will be learning field techniques for the study of reptiles. In addition to the telemetry and the anecdotal data collection, we will learn about biostatistic field methods, some basic taxonomy and also get the chance to experience these animals in their wild settings.

We will get the chance to look around at night and learn about nocturnal species and their natural history. Early mornings will offer spectacular bird-watching prospects. We will also learn a little about stream ecology by simply observing the various interactions between the animals that live in and around it. 

We will get a chance to head out with the team from ARRS on the king cobra radio telemetry project and learn, first hand, about the methods and protocols that are used in the study. If we are fortunate enough, we will be able to accompany Gowrishankar, the Conservation Officer, on a snake rescue should there be one while we’re there.
To soak in some of the scenery, we will head up to Kundadri Betta one morning and enjoy a wonderful trek to the top and look over the the foot of the Western Ghats!

We will stay in tents and a dormitory, using sleeping bags and camp beading mats. The bathrooms are permanent structures with hot and cold running water and the food is nutritious and served at a common dining area at set times.

Workshop dates: 26th to 28th March '10


For those of you who are interested, please write in to gerry@gerrymartin.in. I hope I see you there!