Page 3 - Thola Issue 17

Letter from the Editor
welcome
VOLUME 17. 2014 / 15
3 Director’s Report
6 Steven Piper Lifetime Achievement Award
8 uMngeni River Valley
10 Entomology Department
14 Mammal Department
20 Water and Sanitation
26 Herpetology Department
28 Southern African Wild Cats
31 Libraries Department
32 Bird Department
34 CREW Programme
36 Education Department
42 Exhibitions
46 Red-hot Pokers
50 Conchology Collection
53 Ntombela-Player Lecture
56 Stinkhorn Fungi
60 Science Lens Competition
62 Bat Interest Group of KZN
65 Museum Diary
Thola magazine is published by: The Durban Natural Science Museum P. O. Box 4085, Durban, South Africa 4001 165 Anton Lembede Street, Durban, South Africa 4001 Tel: +27 31 311 2256. Fax: +27 31 311 2242 Director: Allison Ruiters Editor: Kirstin Williams Design and layout: Artworks | www.artworks.co.za
Durban Natural Science Museum Trust Thola is a non-profit educational magazine and any financial contributions to the Durban Natural Science Trust are welcomed.
David Bennett (Chairman) David Allan (Secretary/treasurer) Nicky Armstrong, Marilyn Bodasing, Themba Mathe Thembinkosi Ngcobo, Dr Peter Taylor
As we look back on another year, it’s a good time to take stock of what we’ve achieved and where our hard work has taken us. One of the big highlights this year was David Allan being awarded The Steven Piper Lifetime Achievement Award by the Birds of Prey Programme of the Endangered Wildlife Trust. We are very proud of him and his achievement and we think it’s a well-deserved award! You can read all about it on page 6. This year, we said a sad goodbye to Onica Mukhuwana, who was the technical assistant in the Bird Department. We wish her well in her new position.
Our staff has all been very busy and you can read about their activities in the various departmental reports. We have several articles from external contributors including Survana Parbhoo from SANBI, who enlightens us about CREW and the work they do. Himansu Baijnath from UKZN takes us on a tour of the Red-hot Pokers of eThekwini. Eleanor Richardson takes us down memory lane as the Bat Interest Group KZN celebrates 20 years of existence. Dr Tanya Abrahamse, CEO of SANBI, challenges us to think about the future we want and how science plays a role, and Joanne Riley, Science Editor of SAASTA, tells us about the Science Lens competition. It’s a wonderful mix of articles and I hope you enjoy reading them.
Kirstin Williams
kirstin.williams@durban.gov.za
All material is copyright protected and may not be reproduced either in whole or in part without the prior written permission of the publisher. The views and opinions expressed in the magazine do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher or editor, who reserve the right to amend articles. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy of information, the publisher and editor cannot be held responsible for any errors or views expressed. Readers are invited to express their views to the editor.
© Copyright 2015. All rights reserved.
Cover photograph by Bruce Blake
thola: VOLUME 17. 2014/15