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{{notability|1=Biographies|date=November 2025}}
{{Short description|Indian herpetologist and author}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Rahul Alvares
| image = Rahul Alvares.jpg
| caption =
| birth_date =
| birth_place = Goa, India
| occupation = [[Herpetologist]], wildlife photographer
| yearsactive =
| known for =
| father = [[Claude Alvares]]
| mother = [[Norma Alvares]]
| website =
| awards =
}}

'''Rahul Alvares''' is an Indian [[herpetologist]], author, and wildlife photographer based in [[Goa]].<ref name="Gomantak">{{Cite web |title=Meet Rahul Alvares who is charmed by the snakes of Goa |url=https://www.gomantaktimes.com/my-goa/art-culture/meet-rahul-alvares-who-is-charmed-by-the-snakes-of-goa |website=Gomantak Times |date=25 February 2024 |access-date=2024-11-20}}</ref> He is known for his work in snake rescue, wildlife conservation, and for his books regarding wildlife and experiential education.<ref name="Rediff2010">{{Cite web |date=2010-05-11 |title=Career: He catches snakes, watches birds for a living |url=https://www.rediff.com/getahead/slide-show/slide-show-1-career-he-catches-snakes-watches-birds-for-a-living/20100511.htm |website=Rediff |access-date=2024-11-20}}</ref>

==Early life and education==
Alvares was born to [[Norma Alvares]] and [[Claude Alvares]], an environmental activist.<ref name="IndiaToday2003">{{Cite news |date=2003-10-27 |title=Goa-based herpetologist Rahul Alvares talks about his book The Call of the Snake |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-and-the-arts/books/story/20031027-goa-based-herpetologist-rahul-alvares-talks-about-his-book-the-call-of-the-snake-791529-2003-10-26 |work=India Today |access-date=2024-11-20}}</ref><ref name="Gomantak" /> He grew up in Goa, where he caught his first snake, a [[checkered keelback]], at the age of 16.<ref name="IndiaToday2003" />

Following his completion of the 10th grade, Alvares chose to take a one-year hiatus from formal schooling to pursue practical learning. During this period, he volunteered at the [[Madras Crocodile Bank Trust]], where he worked under the mentorship of herpetologist [[Romulus Whitaker]].<ref name="Rediff2010" /><ref name="IndiaToday2003" /> He later resumed his formal education, obtaining a Bachelor of Science in [[Zoology]] from [[St. Xavier's College, Mapusa]], where he topped his class.<ref name="Rediff2010" />

==Career==
===Herpetology and wildlife guide===

Alvares began rescuing snakes from residential areas in 1997.<ref name="Gomantak" /> By 2010, he had responded to over 500 distress calls related to snakes in a single season.<ref name="Rediff2010" /> He works as a wildlife guide, conducting bird-watching tours and running "Herp-active" internship programs focused on herpetology.<ref name="Gomantak" />

In addition to rescue work, Alvares conducts educational workshops aimed at mitigating the public's fear of snakes. These sessions involve teaching participants how to identify the "Big Four" venomous snakes of India (the [[Indian cobra]], [[Russell's viper]], [[saw-scaled viper]], and [[common krait]]) and allowing them to handle non-venomous species such as the [[rat snake]] and [[sand boa]] under supervision.<ref name="HeraldGoa">{{Cite news |title=Getting over the fear of snakes |url=https://www.heraldgoa.in/cafe/getting-over-the-fear-of-snakes/40638/ |work=Herald Goa |access-date=2024-11-20}}</ref> He advocates for the coexistence of humans and wildlife.<ref name="Gomantak" />

===Writing===
Alvares has authored several books based on his experiences with nature and education. In 1999, he published ''Free From School'', a memoir detailing his gap year and experiences at the [[Madras Crocodile Bank Trust]]. The book was subsequently translated into [[Hindi]], [[Marathi language|Marathi]], and [[Konkani language|Konkani]].<ref name="Rediff2010" />

In 2003, he released ''The Call of the Snake'', which documents his experiences catching snakes in Goan towns and villages.<ref name="IndiaToday2003" /><ref name="Rediff2010" /> He has also co-authored ''Birds of Goa'' and authored ''Snakes of Goa''.<ref name="Gomantak" />

==Works==
* ''Free From School'' (1999)
* ''The Call of the Snake'' (2003)
* ''Birds of Goa''
* ''Snakes of Goa'' (2024)

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Alvares, Rahul}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:Indian herpetologists]]
[[Category:Writers from Goa]]

Rahul Alvares - Revision history

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