The Founding Members

 From an early age Richard has been photographing and documenting African wildlife with a particular interest in amphibians and reptiles. This interest then filtered into a variety of southern Africa’s vertebrate and invertebrate faunas. Having been involved in nature conservation in South Africa and Eswatini for over thirty years and teaching science over two decades at the United World College of Southern Africa, he has dedicated his life to nature conservation and education. Richard moved to Eswatini to take up the position of Senior Park Warden at Malolotja Nature Reserve. On arriving in the country Richard was struck by how undocumented the herpetofauna of the country was and immediately conducted surveys throughout the country to determine what species of amphibians and reptiles occurred. These surveys revealed that Eswatini possesses a southern African microcosm of herpetofaunal diversity.

At the time of Richard’s arrival in the country, in the definitive published works by eminent herpetologists on the lizards, snakes and frogs of the region, the composition and distribution of these groups were poorly reflected. In the Lizards of South Africa (1943), 13 lizards from six localities were recorded, in the Snakes of Southern Africa (1962), 25 snakes from seventeen localities were recorded and in the Amphibia of Southern Africa (1964), 13 species from four localities were recorded. Richard embarked on a four year research programme that terminated in the publication of his Master’s thesis, A Herpetofaunal Survey of Swaziland (1992). In this work 44 amphibians, one crocodile, five chelonians, 44 lizards and 60 snakes were recorded. For the past thirty years Richard has been studying, researching and documenting this fauna, mostly in scientific journals and also in popular books and magazines.

Richard’s photographs have appeared in virtually every regional amphibian and reptile field guide and regional red data book published over the past 35 years. He has authored or co-authored five books, including the definitive work on Southern African tortoises, terrapins and turtles (1988, 2000), the Swaziland Red Data Book (2003), Birds of Malolotja Nature Reserve (2003) and Wild Swaziland (2007). He has authored more than 100 publications, scientific papers and popular articles, on the amphibians, reptiles, fishes and birds of southern Africa.

 Miguel is an aspiring herpetologist based in the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal. His journey into photographing herps was sparked by the late Donald Strydom, whose legacy he is determined to honour. 

When he's not deep in the wilderness, camera in hand, looking for reptiles to photograph, Miguel can often be found on unique rescue missions—removing snakes from unsuspecting homes. Along his journey, Miguel has encountered remarkable reptiles and has made significant contributions to local projects focused on endangered species. Yet, beyond his photographic pursuits, Miguel is motivated by a deep desire to share his passion with the world. 

His ambition? To make a meaningful contribution to the herpetological community while dispelling misconceptions about snakes, one encounter at a time. 

 Courtney is an avid naturalist and photographer who maintains an insatiable fascination for amphibians and reptiles. He was born in the Eastern Cape city of Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) and currently resides in Johannesburg, Gauteng. Over the past decade, Courtney has travelled extensively in search of these creatures, exploring a number of southern African countries including Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, his native South Africa, and Zimbabwe.

When not in the field, actively searching for amphibians and reptiles, Courtney enjoys rock climbing, free-diving, and antiquarian book collecting.

Courtney has previously obtained two tertiary qualifications in photography from Vega IIE, and recently graduated from the University of South Africa’s College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences with a Diploma in Nature Conservation. He aims to further his studies and enrol for an Advanced Diploma (BTech) in Nature Conservation in the near future.

Professionally, Courtney has worked for the African Snakebite Institute, the South African National Biodiversity Institute’s Natural Science Collections Facility, and most recently, the South African Environmental Observation Network’s Arid Lands Node where, as a fixed-term field research assistant, he collected data for a population-level study of an endangered and endemic succulent species, the Prince Albert Vygie (Bijlia dilatata), which has since been published in the Journal of Arid Environments.

Courtney has made photographic contributions to numerous publications and field guides relating to southern African herpetofauna, and is the author of A Guide to the Reptiles of Prince Albert & the Swartberg Pass.

 Kirsty spent the first 25 years of her life at Kosi Bay, conducting her schooling and undergrad via correspondence. Her father was a scientist with Ezemvelo Nature Conservation and this afforded her access to amazing people, projects and places, fueling a fascination and understanding of both conservation and the natural world. Though keen on anything living and breathing, she developed a special interest in herps and did a distance-based honors degree through NWU based on amphibian acoustics, followed by a Master’s degree, also through NWU, looking at the life history of the Endangered Long-Toed Tree Frog. Upon completion of this she finally gave up on distance learning and joined UKZN for a PhD on southern African pythons which she is presently busy with. She is based in Pietermaritzburg and, though currently focusing on pythons, is still involved with projects all around Southern Africa working on anything and everything. She is married and mother to a ridiculous number of creatures. 

 Dylan has a lifelong passion for reptiles and amphibians. For the last 14 years, he has dedicated his time and efforts to seek any and all opportunities to observe and study herpetofauna. His diverse experiences span survey work, snake rescue and relocation, education, community engagement, and managing the care and welfare of a venomous snake collection at the Dangerous Creatures Reptile House, uShaka Marine World. 

As a consultant specialising in herpetofauna surveys, Dylan's expertise has been sought after for various projects. His love for travel has taken him across South Africa, allowing him to observe and document numerous species. A passionate photographer, Dylan has recorded his experiences and findings, contributing visual media to various educational resources, including numerous field guides, posters, fauna survey reports, and citizen science initiatives. 

Dylan aims to promote conservation and inspire a deeper appreciation for South Africa's rich herpetofaunal diversity through his photography and consulting work. 

Dave has had an interest in reptiles for as long as he can remember. Growing up in Kimberley and his dad being a prospector he was fortunate to travel South Africa extensively, always on the lookout for snakes and other reptiles.  In 2006 & 2007 he was involved with SARCA Field Surveys and started photographing reptiles 

Currently, he works as a Field Guide in northern KZN and still has the opportunity to find snakes at work, and to educate those who have a phobia and misunderstand them.

"It always gives a sense of satisfaction when one is able to change a mindset and spark an interest."

John was born in England and joined the British Army until 1991 when he moved to Germany to train with their ambulance service as a paramedic. He later returned to England and finished his training with the Mersey Regional Ambulance Service, following which he qualified as an Emergency Care Practitioner through John Moore University in Liverpool.

In 2000, he started a personal collection of exotic venomous snakes and developed an interest in clinical toxinology. 

John emigrated to Australia in 2008 to continue his career with the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS). His keen interest in marine envenomations led him to co-author a research paper on Irukandji syndrome caused by jellyfish stings. He lectured nationally on the subject of marine envenomation, as well as on the clinical management of cases in the pre-hospital setting. John presented QAS research at two world conferences and recruited and treated snakebite patients for an antivenom trial in Papua New Guinea. During this time he visited eSwatini several times where he helped train medical personnel in snakebite management.

He is currently back in Queensland pursuing his healthcare career and herpetological interests.

Kurt has had a lifelong passion for reptiles and amphibians. Growing up in the Zimbabwean bushveld, his childhood interest in snakes rapidly snowballed to include other facets of the natural world. After completing his schooling and undergraduate studies in Europe, Kurt returned to South Africa in 2019, a move that guided him to a career in ecology. From 2019 to 2021, he had the opportunity to work on various projects in the Fynbos Biome, including an entomological study which he completed for his Honours. He is currently pursuing a PhD through the University of the Western Cape, having spent the past three summers surveying reptiles in the lowveld of south-eastern Zimbabwe, assessing their response to habitat transformation at different spatial scales. Now settled in the Western Cape again, Kurt is eager to deepen his knowledge of African herpetofauna and share his passion with others. He has a particular interest in the ecology of secretive and endemic species, advocating for those which are often overlooked.

Gus born and raised in KwaZulu-Natal, is a naturalist and photographer, passionate about reptiles & amphibians. What began as a childhood curiosity has developed into a full-blown obsession, spending most of his teens searching for and photographing reptiles across his home province, slowly developing his skills and knowledge as a herper and photographer, building up a collection of images that showcases the herpetofaunal diversity across Southern Africa.

Tim has a lifelong passion for reptiles. Although he was born in South Africa he spent the majority of his formative years living in Malawi. It was here, after meeting Gary Brown, that his interest for reptiles flourished. After a brief spell at university studying Architecture he quickly realised his mistake and moved back to Malawi to follow his passion. During the time that followed he spent the majority of his time working on various educational materials for the people of Malawi. He understood that although Reptiles and Amphibians are probably the most fascinating animals on this planet, most people are afraid of them. This age-old fear has clouded these animal in superstition, resulting in loss of life, both for the animals as well as for people. By teaching awareness courses and authoring posters, booklets and an upcoming book in the local language, Chichewa, Tim hopes to convince the younger generation that the animals he is so passionate about are interesting and worth keeping alive. Tim now works as an instructor for the African Snakebite Institute in South Africa where he focuses his efforts on expanding the institutes reach into the rest of Africa. 

Due to his passion and need for images for his educational materials Tim has also dedicated an enormous amount of time to herpetological exploration and photography. He has published various range extensions for species in Malawi as well as participated in herpetological surveys for the Malawi University of Science and Technology. Most recently he was invited by Dr. Julian Bayliss and the consulting company 4Forests to join two expeditions to the Inselbergs of Mozambique. For two months they explored the Inselbergs, collecting population data on Rhampholeon bruessoworum and Rhampholeon maspictus as well as logging hundreds of records for the region. The groups explorations of Mt. Mabu can be viewed on the BBC’s website. 

 Born in the UK, Gary moved to Africa in 1974, first Zambia, then to Malawi. Educated in South Africa, matriculating in 1985.

For over 40 years he has been collecting and studying snakes and other local fauna, documenting and photographing species and locations.

Having worked as a safari guide, reptiles always held a special focus.

In 2017 he started Snakes & Creep Crawlies of Malawi, a Facebook page, to help educate people about Malawi’s snakes and other creatures.

During the next few years, he held several displays at a local farmers market, which proved very popular with the kids, and many Malawians were keen to see the snakes that were being handled and learn more about them.

In 2019 he produced a photographic field guide, Reptiles of Malawi, with input from Rupert Wilkey. A full-colour book with over 300 pages, covering all of Malawi’s 145 species of reptiles, Snakes, Chameleons, Lizards, Tortoises & Terrapins.

His photographs can also be found in numerous Reptile books, Virtual Museums and Reptile databases.

He now lives in France, photographing the local flora and fauna there.

Publications:

• Reptiles of Malawi - 2019

Florian was born and raised in Germany but travelled to Kenya in 1986 with his parents. 

He has been interested in dinosaurs and crocodiles since early childhood and caught his first chameleon in Nairobi at the age of 10 in 1996. In 2000 he kept the first non-venomous snakes, then a year later, at the age of 15, he moved into venomous snake species. 

Florian now specialises in East African herpetology, especially snakes of Kenya since 2014.

He is also an ER nurse with a main interest in cardiology and snake venoms - concentrating on venomous snakes, their toxins, first aid and treatment.

He hopes to move back to Kenya in 2025/2026 to hopefully assist and treat snakebites in Kenya. 

Daniel has been deeply involved with reptiles since the age of 12, with a specific focus on venomous snakes beginning at the age of 16. With over two decades of experience in herpetology, he primarily concentrates on the photography of venomous snakes.

Since 2012, he has travelled to countries such as Kenya, Tanzania, India, Thailand, and Australia, aiming to locate and document all kinds of reptile species in their natural habitats.

Andy has been involved in herpetology for the past sixty-plus years and has a deep passion and interest in practical ecology, conservation and biogeography. He was raised in Malawi, south-eastern Africa, where he observed, collected, recorded, bred and released many species of reptile and amphibian over an eight year period. Intensive field study was also undertaken in West Africa, Borneo, Indonesia and parts of SE Asia. 

Business took him to Scotland in 1986 where study became focused on programmes for captive breeding and education based on notes and observations in the field.

Andy setup fourteen breeding groups of Pythonid species including P. natalensis and achieved the first captive breeding in the UK of M. reticulatus (Reticulated python) in 1989.

British Herpetological Society past Scottish Group Chairman, Council member. Involved 

with captive breeding, education and recording local herpetofauna.

He delivered talks, lectures and workshops to schools, universities, herpetological societies and interest groups of all ages on reptiles and amphibians – their captive breeding, ecology and conservation. 

These included: Banchory Academy, Aberdeenshire – annual, year three biology workshop on reptiles, their biology, ecology and conservation. Aberdeen Science and Technology Festival (Techfest) - annual, Schools week-long programme with two-weekend family workshops. Lanarkshire Council Environmental Health Department – Annual one-day workshop for pet shop managers/owners, environmental health officers, vets and herpetologists on the care of Reptiles and Amphibians including legislation and health.

In September 1999 he was part of a 10-person international team carrying out an ecological survey of the south-eastern quadrant of Nyika Plateau, northern Malawi.

Currently, research interests include: M. reticulatus – resolution of the geographic distribution of the naturally occurring genetic variation in M. reticulatus. This requires a morphological and molecular (total evidence) approach and would contribute significantly to creating a system for future species management and regional management plans for skin trade quota control.

Andy is currently working on publishing observed data for M. reticulatus gathered in Indonesia. Also, the publication of herpetological data, notes and field observations from archive files on Python regius, notes on Malawi species and Sarawak species where relevant, useful and appropriate.

Interested in nature from childhood, Bernhard’s interests began with a focus on amphibians and reptiles in his native Germany. He then specialised in turtles and tortoises which he kept and bred in captivity. He also travelled to Mexico and Central America, always looking for turtles, any other creatures and bromeliad plants. 

He spent seven years in Malawi as a technical advisor but aside from his profession he undertook numerous trips around his home in Zomba, visiting the national parks, the bigger lakes and Mulanje Mountain. Events with the NFPS (today: Wildlife and Environmental Society of Malawi) were predominately bird-watching trips, but he also took part in annual events like game counts in Lengwe NP and looking for frogs in the Chilwa plain. 

Besides animals, his interest in plants extended to local succulents and orchids in Malawi. 

After leaving Malawi he moved to Asia and Australia where both the wildlife and landscapes left a lasting impression. 

Bernhard is a keen photographer, amassing a large collection of 35mm slides, many of which have now been converted to digital format. 

website: https://claudius16.jimdofree.com/

Memberships:

Wildlife Society of Malawi (1985-1992)

Mulanje Mountain Club (1985-1992)

German Herpetological Society (since 1974)

German Bromeliad Society DBG (since 2007)

Zimbabwe Orchid Society (1986-1992)

John grew up in Uganda where he became interested in wildlife, especially butterflies and birds, but also snakes, which included looking after a large Gaboon Viper. 

In 1973 John moved to Malawi as a Fisheries Officer and he was posted on the southern shore of Lake Malawi where he had the opportunity to find and catch a number of species of snakes, memorably including several large Southern African Rock Pythons and a Black Mamba.

In 1987 John moved to Zomba where he spent the next 30 years. His garden was inhabited by Eastern Forest Cobras, Eastern Green Mambas, Oates’ Vine Snakes and East African Egg-eaters, amongst others.

John now lives in southern Japan where he only very occasionally encounters a snake, but it is still exciting. 

PUBLICATIONS: 

Njaya, Friday, Katherine A. Snyder, Daniel Jamu, John Wilson, Clive Howard-Williams, Edward H. Allison, Neil L. Andrews (2011). The natural history and fisheries ecology of Lake Chilwa, southern Malawi. Journal of Great Lakes Research Vol. 37 p.15-25.

Van Zegeren, K. and J.G.M. Wilson (1997). Bird hunting at Lake Chilwa. Nyala 20: 37-46.

Van Zegeren, K. and J.G.M. Wilson (1999). Bird catching around Lake Chilwa, Malawi. Ostrich 70:246-247.

Wilson, J.G.M. (2004) First Record of the Gaboon Viper, Bitis gabonica, on Mulanje Mountain. Nyala 22:49.

Wilson, J.G.M. (2011). The Eagles of Malawi. The Eye Magazine September -November.

Wilson, J.G.M. (2011). The Owls of Malawi. The Eye Magazine December – February 2012. 

Wilson, J.G.M. (2011) The Vernacular Names of Malawi’s Birds (1). The Society of Malawi Journal Volume 64 Number 2. P.36-51. 

Wilson, Dr. John (2012). The Vernacular Names of Birds (2). The Society of Malawi Journal Vol.65. Number 1. 

Wilson, Dr. John (2012). The Vernacular Names of Birds (3). The Society of Malawi Journal Vol.69. Number 2. 

Wilson, John G.M. (2020). Waterbird hunting and community conservation on Lake Chilwa at a time of recession. Honeyguide 66 (2) P67-72.

Wilson, John G.M. (2020). Notes on the White-winged Apalis in Malawi. Honeyguide 66 (2) P. 73 – 74..

Wilson, John G.M. and R.D. (Bob) Medland (2020). Longevity and Movement of Forest Birds in Zomba, Malawi. Honeyguide 66, P.7-15. 

Wilson, John (2021). White-winged Apalis nesting in a modified Spectacled Weaver nest. Honeyguide 67 (1) P.22.

Wilson, John (2021). Observations on birds eating emerging termite alates in Malawi.. Honeyguide 67 (1) P.22 -24.

Wilson, John (2022). Raptor road counts along the southern shore of Lake Malawi. Honeyguide 68 (2) P48-50.

Wilson, J.G.M. (2023) Dr Lamborn and his rare butterfly. African Butterfly News March 2023. P.36-37.

Wilson, JGM. (2023). The Shire Tiger Callioratis grandis. African Butterfly News May 2023 P. 30.

Wilson, JGM. (2023). Butterflies trapped in my garden in Zomba, Malawi. African Butterfly News July 2023 P. 9-20.

Wilson JGM. (2024). Salimini’s birds. The Society of Malawi Journal Volume 77 Number 1.Pp.63-71,

Wilson, J.G.M. and K. van Zegeren (1996). White-breasted Cormorant Phalacrocoras carbo lucidus more abundant in Southern African than previously thought. Cormorant Research Group Bulletin Vol. 2 pp. 30-31.

Wilson, J.G.M. and K. van Zegeren (1998). The Birds of Lake Chilwa: A Systematic Annotated Checklist. Society of Malawi Journal Vol. 51 - Number 1.

Wilson J.G.M. and K. van Zegeren (1998). The Birds of Lake Chilwa: In The Lake Chilwa Environment - A Report of the 1996 Ramsar Site Study (1998) by K. Van Zegeren and M.P. Munyenyembe. Chancellor College Publications, Zomba Malawi.

Wilson, J.G.M. and R. Bischoff (2008). White-winged Apalis breeding in Malawi. Africa-Birds and Birding Vol.13 –Number 3. 

Wilson, Dr. John and Stuart Ross (2016). Butterflies on the Stamps of Malawi. The Society of Malawi Journal Vol. 51 Number 1.P.1-16. 

Wilson, J.G.M. and B. Palmer (2017). Birds of Malawi – The Splendour of Diversity.148pp. Central Africana Limited, Blantyre, Malawi. 

Wilson, John and Bentley Palmer (2023). The Birds of Malawi – Field Guide. 1-194 pp. Tradimal-Rhino Graphics Malawi.  

Windig, J.J., Brakefield, P. M., Reitsma, N., Wilson, J.G.M. (1994) Seasonal polyphenism in the wild: survey of wing patterns in five species of Bicyclus butterflies in Malawi, Ecological Entomology 19, 285-298.