For the Media

My surname is pronounced 'Zah-den-ick'

My affiliation is The Australian Reptile Academy.

My title is Dr.

My time-zone is AEST (Brisbane, Australia).

Here are profile pic options of me you can use. Credit is in the file names.

I am available for expert interviews on the following topics:

Snakebite

Snake behaviour

Human-snake conflict

Snake venom

Palm Cockatoos

Death Adders

Old-growth tree conservation

Wildlife conservation

Animal intelligence

A note on ethics: I will not participate in any media story possessing sensationalism or fear-mongering regarding snakes, as this is never factually correct and exacerbates the human-snake conflict.

Experience with the media

I have been interviewed hundreds of times, 51 of which in 2023 alone, including 12 TV interviews. I have been interviewed 7 times live on ABC TV News.

Experience with the media

I have been interviewed hundreds of times, 51 of which in 2023 alone, including 12 TV interviews. I have been interviewed 7 times live on ABC TV News.

Some recent media highlights

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Annabel Crabb and Leigh Sales

Live interview at the World Science Festival (Brisbane) in April 2024. Sold-out event. 1000 tickets. $69/ticket. Two others interviewed: NASA astronaut, heart surgeon.

Channel 9, Under Investigation with Liz Hayes

Snake expert comment on an unsolved murder case involving a man who shot his wife in the back, claiming to have been trying to kill a snake instead.

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All in the Mind podcast, live onstage

World Science Festival (Brisbane) in April 2024.

live Death By Birding podcast

At BirdLife Southern Qld's Galah event (Dec. 2024). This was very last-minute, as the original guest was Qld's former Chief Scientist, Professor Hugh Possingham, but his flight was delayed. I had 30min notice before being interviewed live.

Channel 10 TV interview

Feb 2023, re my research on how snakes can hear airborne sounds. The media splash for this research reached 779M people, with an advertising equivalent of $12.1M for the Uni. of Qld.

live ABC Breakfast interview

Feb 2023, by Michael Rennie. Regarding my research on how snakes can hear airborne sounds. The media splash for this research reached 779M people, with an advertising equivalent of $12.1M for the Uni. of Qld.

More highlights

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Live ABC TV News interview

2Jan'25, regarding the 35% increase in '000' calls for 'snakebite' in NSW in 2024. I take the opportunity to promote snake safety, coexistence, and correct snakebite first-aid to the 734,000 everyday Australians.

Provided expert opinion on ABC podcast and article re snakes

On ABC's 'What the Duck' podcast and accompanying ABC online article.

Provided expert opinion for online article re snake safety

"Our snakes are no joke to handle. Our venomous snakes move incredibly rapidly and when they feel like they need to defend themselves, they will do so quicker than you can blink an eye," Dr Zdenek said."

Onscreen with Emmy-Award winning series, 'Built to Survive'

Consultation and onscreen talent provided.

Onscreen with Emmy-Award winning series, 'Built to Survive'

Wildlife consultation and onscreen talent provided.

ABC TV interview re Death Adders

22Nov.2018, Magnetic Island, discussing research on Death Adders to improve the human-snake conflict on the island.