ANNUAL PIT VIPER EXPEDITION
2016 Northern Western Ghats of India.
This is the 7th consecutive year of
the now acclaimed PIT VIPER EXPEDITION of Herpactive. The last 6 years have
seen teams gather vital data, compile popular articles and research notes and
help collate baseline data on pit vipers as well as other Herpetofauna of the 3
states of Goa- Karnataka and Maharashtra.
This year the expedition broadens its scope and
plans to set up long term monitoring data at a new field site and contribute to
the existing knowledge of these highly evolved snakes. Study of their niche
habitats through systematic photo, ecological documentation will be another
objective and so will be conservation education to a selected target community
target group.
We will target 3 species for data collection on
color morphs and abundance besides collection of habitat preference data and
photo documentation of other Herpetofauna. The 3 species of Pit vipers are the
Hump Nosed Pit viper (Hypnale hypnale), Malabar Pit viper (Trimeresurus
malabaricus) and Bamboo pit viper (Trimeresurus graminieus).
Besides this, the team will document any and
all other forms of lesser forms of biodiversity that is intrinsic to the
habitats of these charismatic species. We will also learn field data collection
techniques, snakebite protocol and basic taxonomy amongst other aspects of
ophiology and basic herpetology.
This year is special as I have dedicated it to
the world of Asian Pit Vipers and my aim is to spread as much knowledge and
awareness about these species as possible.
For those who wish to contribute to a one of its
kind annual expedition through Northern Western Ghats canopy forests, cross the
seasonal monsoon waters at picturesque locales and can brave high humidity and
excessive rainfall, this trip is meant for you.
Team
strength will be restricted so join up soon.
Date- 29th June to 3rd July
2016. (29th June, 30th June, 1st July, 2nd
July and 3rd July)
Fees- Rs.
15,500/- only including transportation and basic camp meals. This does not
include stay on day prior to the expedition and day after the expedition is
over. Meeting point is at Panjim on 29th June 2016 at 9.00 am at
Heera petrol pump. We do not look at stay arrangement before or after the
expedition.
To book a seat one has to pay entire amount as
advance to the following account. This amount is non refundable so please be
cent percent sure that you are attending the expedition.
HERPACTIVE- 611401010050078.
Account type- Current account.
The IFSC Code is UBIN0561142.
Union Bank of India, Dhuler Mapusa Branch, North
Goa.