Arunkumar Thyadi, a freelance wildlife photographer, documentary filmmaker, wildlife rescuer, and conservationist from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, has dedicated his life to preserving the region’s rich biodiversity. With over 1,700 snake rescues and numerous wildlife conservation projects, he founded “WildVizag” to showcase local wildlife and inspire conservation efforts. Overcoming financial challenges, he turned his childhood fascination into a mission. Currently training for mountaineering, he dreams of showcasing Andhra’s hidden wildlife from Mount Everest.
By Dr. Vajranabh Natraaj Maharshi
Arunkumar Thyadi: Is a freelance wildlife photographer, documentary filmmaker, wildlife rescuer, and conservationist from the land of creativity Visakhapatnam of Andhra Pradesh. He has worked on several wildlife conservation projects in Andhra Pradesh, focusing on species like fishing cats, rusty-spotted cats, snakes, and many others. Since 2016, he has been working with the Forest Department as a freelance photographer and filmmaker. Officially, he covered Andhra Pradesh from Srikakulam to Chittoor.
Like everyone, he had a dream of seeing tigers, elephants, and other wildlife in their natural habitat. Most of his childhood was spent with stray cats and dogs. He grew up near Simhachalam Hill, where he often encountered wild animals and snakes. Watching them always brought him unlimited happiness. However, people in his neighbourhood would kill snakes out of fear.
At the age of 10, he rescued his first snake, an Indian cobra, from his neighbours when they were trying to kill it.
Cameras have always fascinated him. Through them, he can freeze time. He started photography in his 3rd grade and took it seriously after completing his 10th grade. He later pursued a double diploma in photography.
Coming from a lower middle-class family, he has faced many challenges. Photography has become an expensive hobby for him, and wildlife photography is even more so.
Everyone told him to choose a more secure career and give up photography. But he never gave up; he simply followed his heart.
He continued rescuing wildlife. One day, he uploaded photos of a rescued snake on Facebook. An IFS officer saw his post, then contacted him, and encouraged him to keep going. From that day onwards, he began rescuing wildlife officially.
Till now, he has rescued over 1,700 snakes, ranging from the smallest species to the world’s largest venomous snake, the king cobra”.
Like many others, he had a dream. He wanted to promote and protect the wildlife of his state. To achieve this, he has launched “WildVizag”,a group dedicated to exploring and showcasing local wildlife. He enjoys teaching both kids and adults about wildlife conservation in the field.
He strongly believes that when people see the beauty of nature and wildlife, they will start conserving it. And he can do that through his camera.
He spends most of his time in nature and with animals, and he has never felt bored. Because he believes that when you truly love something, boredom doesn’t exist.
One day, he hopes to showcase the hidden wildlife of his region to the world.
He would also like to thank one of his biggest inspirations in wildlife adventure Bear Grylls. He has inspired him alot to continue his journey and push his boundaries and limits.
Currently, he is training for mountaineering because he wants to take his state’s wildlife to the global stage. In the next 3-4 years, he will showcase the hidden beauty of his backyard from the top of Mount Everest.
