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Anslem de Silva is widely regarded as the father of modern herpetology in Sri Lanka. He has spent more than six decades documenting the island\u2019s rich reptile and amphibian diversity while mentoring generations of researchers.<\/p>\n
De Silva spoke with Mongabay contributor Malaka Rodrigo<\/a><\/span> as he, at 86 years old, prepares to host the first World Congress on Snakes<\/a><\/span>. The conference in October in Sri Lanka\u2019s hill city of Kandy will be an international gathering specifically dedicated to snake conservation and research.<\/p>\n Over the course of a distinguished career, de Silva has authored more than 350 scientific papers and more than 25 books. His work began in the 1960s when only a small handful of Sri Lankan researchers were studying the country\u2019s reptiles and amphibians. To build local scientific capacity, he organized the country\u2019s first one-day herpetological conference in the 1960s. He also launched Sri Lanka\u2019s first herpetological research journal, Lyriocephalus<\/em>, and established the Amphibia and Reptile Research Organization of Sri Lanka<\/a><\/span> in 1990.<\/p>\n De Silva\u2019s mentorship has left a lasting legacy across the region. Ruchira Somaweera, a Sri Lankan-born conservation biologist, recalled receiving an inscribed copy of the journal from de Silva when he was just 13. \u201cMost of the herpetologists of my generation were groomed by de Silva, and hundreds, if not thousands, of students have been inspired by him, just like I was,\u201d Somaweera told Mongabay.<\/p>\n Born in 1940 in the southern coastal city of Matara, de Silva developed his passion for snakes as a child after rescuing a rat snake (Ptyas mucosa<\/em>) that was being abused by other students. Before becoming a leading scientist, he was an accomplished magician who won the national title of Best Magician in 1965. He credits magic with honing his public communication skills.<\/p>\n \u201cCommunicating the value of conservation to the public is an art; a matter of good storytelling,\u201d de Silva, who currently serves as co-chair of the IUCN Amphibian Specialist Group, told Rodrigo. \u201cI believe my experience as a magician helped me to reveal the true magicians of nature \u2014 reptiles and amphibians.\u201d<\/p>\n A key priority for de Silva is countering public fear and misperceptions about snakes. While Sri Lanka is home to more than 100 snake species, only about five species can cause fatal bites, according to de Silva.<\/p>\n In recognition of his lifetime of contributions, the IUCN awarded de Silva the IUCN Sir Peter Scott Award of Conservation Merit in 2019<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n For de Silva, his primary legacy is the young scientists he has mentored. \u201cFor me, it is not only about the species I have studied or documented,\u201d de Silva said. \u201cI am especially happy to see the growth of herpetology in Sri Lanka and the younger generations who are now continuing this work.\u201d<\/p>\n Read the full interview by Malaka Rodrigo <\/em>here<\/em><\/a><\/span>.<\/em><\/p>\n Banner image: <\/em><\/strong>Anslem de Silva, Sri Lanka\u2019s pioneering herpetologist. Image courtesy of Anslem de Silva.<\/em>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
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