My name is John Dunbar, and I have been an exotic animal enthusiast for nearly 30 years. My fascination began with my first pet snake and quickly grew into a lifelong passion for reptiles and invertebrates. This interest led me on an adventurous journey across the globe, travelling to South America, India, Indonesia, South East Asia, Europe, and North Africa to observe and study snakes, reptiles, and exotic invertebrates in their natural habitats.

A pivotal expedition in 2007, spent searching for giant anacondas in the swamps of Venezuela, inspired me to return to formal education. At the age of 28, I began a Bachelor’s degree in Biological & Biomedical Sciences at Maynooth University. Following this, I worked as an Assistant Herpetologist at the Centre for Snakebite Research & Interventions at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine where I assisted in the care and management of over 450 venomous snakes. During this time, I was directly involved in the extraction of snake venom, which was subsequently used by the research team in biomedical studies aimed at developing next-generation Snakebite antivenoms.

I later completed a PhD in Zoology at the University of Galway, specialising in Venom Systems & Proteomics, with a research focus on spider venom. After my doctorate, I was awarded a two-year Postdoctoral Research Fellowship by the Irish Research Council, which allowed me to conduct field research on scorpions in Morocco.

Today, my goal is to establish a specialist zoo in the Irish midlands, County Longford, dedicated to showcasing both native and exotic reptiles and invertebrates. This centrally located zoological attraction will combine conservation, education, and public engagement, offering visitors a unique opportunity to learn about the fascinating — and often misunderstood — lives of some of the world’s most extraordinary creatures.