Gerry Martin

India's first adventurer on National Geographic channel (remember Croc Chronicles or Snake Wranglers?), wildlife expert and herpetologist Gerald ‘Gerry’ Martin has been wild at heart since the time he was a kid. He grew up in a farmhouse, surrounded by animals and nature and at 17 started assisting the legendary Romulus Whitaker at the Madras Crocodile Bank. In fact, he was the bank’s youngest curator. From watching 31 baby cobras hatch in his room during a project to looking for crocodiles on camera, Martin has done it all. Today he shares his love for adventure with children and educates them about nature and animals through camps and workshops. He tells MetroMela how parents can get city kids away from the TV and closer to nature and even shares some of his favorite outdoor destinations.

   Gerry Martin started his career under the guidance of Romulus Whitaker at the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust in 1995. Although not academically qualified, he was eager to assist various scientists in their research and learned on the job! He has, over the last decade and a half, worked in educational reform, television and eco-tourism. Today, he runs The Gerry Martin Project – a company that focuses on enabling environmental and wildlife research and conservation. The Gerry Martin Project works closely with The Agumbe Rainforest research Station, The Madras Crocodile Bank Trust and the Andaman and Nicobar Environmental Team to create platforms for research and conservation.