Snake Shyam
Indian wildlife conservationist / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
M. S. Balasubramania (alt spelling Balasubramanya;[1] born 1967),[2] popularly known as Snake Shyam, is a snake enthusiast, wildlife conservationist and lecturer in Mysore, India.[3] He was elected to the Mysore City Corporation in 2013, a role he served until 2018.[1][4]
M. S. Balasubramania | |
---|---|
Born | 1967 (age 56ā57) Cheluvaamba Hospital, Krishnarajanagara, Mysore State, India |
Nationality | Indian |
Other names | Snake Bite |
Occupation(s) | Snake conservationist, Auto rickshaw Driver, former Counselor - Mysore City Corporation (MCC) |
Known for | Snake enthusiasm |
Children | Surya kirthi |
Website | snakeshyammysore |
Though not a trained herpetologist,[5] Shyam is known throughout the Mysore region as a "naturalist on wheels".[6] He rescues and rehabilitates snakes and educates the public about them.[7] He is also sometimes consulted by local hospitals to identify a species of snake prior to treating a snakebite victim.[8]
Shyam has been widely recognized for his work. National Geographic featured him in its Croc Chronicles: Snakes, Karma, Action special.[8] He has also been featured on the Discovery channel.[9] Mysore city has named a street for him and has dedicated its first "urban forest" to him and fellow environmentalist Hyder Ali Khan.[5][10]
Shyam is also known for his personal flamboyance and has been described by The Hindu as "easily the most recognisable characters [sic] of Mysore, complete with his sun hat, overflowing beads and multiple rings that adorn his fingers".[3]