Zai Whitaker grew up in a family of naturalists in Mumbai, and moved to Chennai in 1974 when she married Rom Whitaker and joined his work at the Madras Snake Park. Together, they started the Madras Crocodile Bank in 1976, and several other conservation projects focused on reptile conservation. She has worked closely with the Irular tribe of snake catchers and her recent book, Termite Fry, is based on their lives and history. She has written twenty books, mostly for children, on nature and the environment. She is currently the Managing Trustee of the Crocodile Bank.