Donation protected
The Whitaker family were at KIS for a combined five decades or more; Rom (Class of 1960) is the centre-piece of several notorious “Kodai stories”: such as a pet python under his bed, a Russell’s viper stashed in a water bottle, and several house-parents and teachers happy to stay clear of him and overlook the lapse in homework. Rom and Zai are the founders of the Madras Crocodile Bank/Centre for Herpetology, where they continued to work as committed conservationists even after their divorce. Their son Nikhil is the Curator and has his own stories, such as when he was “a little careless” and got attacked and injured by one of the largest saltwater crocodiles in captivity. Apart from being a popular reptile zoo with 4.5 lakh visitors annually, the Croc Bank is part of many important research and conservation projects including the breeding and rewilding of endangered species. The animal collection includes 2000 crocodiles as well as many species of other reptiles: lizards, snakes and chelonians (turtles and tortoises).
During the 8 month Covid19 lockdown in Tamilnadu last year, the Croc Bank managed to keep its animals healthy and happy, thanks to donors. The specialized keepers, all from the local village, also received their salaries in full and on time, enabling them to look after their families and medical and other needs. After a brief 4 months when the Bank was allowed to open, there is now another lockdown. The pattern will continue until the pandemic is over and one dreads to think how long that could be, given the situation in India. Tamilnadu is one of the worst-hit states, with numbers of cases and deaths rising meteorically.
I am reaching out to KIS alumni in the United States, to help the Croc Bank, and Tamilnadu, India which was once our home. Any gift big or small is appreciated. As Zai says, "every piasa counts!". When donating to the Croc Bank, your money supports snake antivenom research, environmental research, ecology, herpetology, wild crocodile conservation, endangered species, and salaries of specialized local Tamilnadu keepers. Donations are especially appreciated during the COVID-19 pandemic as operations have paused but the animals still have needs.
Funds will be collected and allocated to the Croc Bank by:
Betsy Dailey, Charlotte, NC, US
With love,
Betsy Miller Dailey (Class of 1977)
Grace Dailey (Class of 2007)
Jake Dailey (Class of 2010)
During the 8 month Covid19 lockdown in Tamilnadu last year, the Croc Bank managed to keep its animals healthy and happy, thanks to donors. The specialized keepers, all from the local village, also received their salaries in full and on time, enabling them to look after their families and medical and other needs. After a brief 4 months when the Bank was allowed to open, there is now another lockdown. The pattern will continue until the pandemic is over and one dreads to think how long that could be, given the situation in India. Tamilnadu is one of the worst-hit states, with numbers of cases and deaths rising meteorically.
I am reaching out to KIS alumni in the United States, to help the Croc Bank, and Tamilnadu, India which was once our home. Any gift big or small is appreciated. As Zai says, "every piasa counts!". When donating to the Croc Bank, your money supports snake antivenom research, environmental research, ecology, herpetology, wild crocodile conservation, endangered species, and salaries of specialized local Tamilnadu keepers. Donations are especially appreciated during the COVID-19 pandemic as operations have paused but the animals still have needs.
Funds will be collected and allocated to the Croc Bank by:
Betsy Dailey, Charlotte, NC, US
With love,
Betsy Miller Dailey (Class of 1977)
Grace Dailey (Class of 2007)
Jake Dailey (Class of 2010)
Organizer
Betsy Dailey
Organizer
Charlotte, NC