Snake-Bitten: Eric Worrell and the Australian Reptile Park

Before Steve Irwin, Alby Mangels, the Leyland Brothers and Harry Butler there was Eric Worrell. This book traces the life and times of Worrell, the original reptile danger man and naturalist, and the iconic tourist attraction he established on the NSW Central Coast in 1959, The Australian Reptile Park. With the assistance of a committed team of keepers, Worrell created the country’s pre-eminent reptile collection at the park, as well as being the main provider of snake and funnel web spider venom for the Commonwealth Serum Laboratory. Based on extensive interviews with staff and supporters, Snake-bitten is the intriguing story of the larger-than-life Eric Worrell and the Australian Reptile Park, which continues to be a leader in wildlife tourism, conservation, education and research.

Kevin Markwell is an associate professor in tourism studies and the coauthor of ＂Gay Tourism: Culture and Context.＂ Nancy Cushing is a lecturer in Australian history at the University of Newcastle in Australia.