Zai Whitekar

Zai Whitaker grew up in Mumbai, Maharashtra, in a family of naturalists, which was the beginning of her interest in wildlife and conservation. After college, she moved to Chennai, Tamil Nadu, and worked at the Madras Snake Park and later helped start the Madras Crocodile Bank near Mamallapuram, and the Irula Tribe Women’s Welfare Society, Chengalpattu. She taught in Kodaikanal for 18 years and was the principal of two schools.

She has written 20 books, most of them for young people, on environmental issues. These include The Bird Man of India: Sálim Ali for Children (Hachette India), Andamans Boy, Sálim Mamoo and Me and Termite Fry. She is the managing trustee of the Madras Crocodile Bank, where she lives.