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As a first step, we approached Prof. Dai Herbert, Chief Curator of
the Malacology Department at the KwaZulu-Natal Museum, for guidance on a way forward. Dai kindly visited Durban to inspect our collection and followed this up with a clear set of recommendations. The older collection is supported by a drawer of dog-eared index cards and Dai advised us to get these entered into a digital database. Onica Mukhuwana, the Technical Assistant in the Bird Department, achieved this with amazing alacrity. This database allows us to determine details instantly, such as how many specimens there are in the original collection (some 1 532 accessioned ‘lots’), the scientific name of each specimen, and where, when and by whom each was collected. Concerning the more recent material, Dai suggested we get started on identifying, labelling, accessioning and databasing these shells too. He also stressed the need to update the hopelessly archaic nomenclature throughout.
Appreciating that without specialist input, the Museum would be unable
to materially improve the status of
the conchology collection, Dai’s smartest advice was to put us in touch with Rina and Jurie Matthee, two
local luminaries in the Conchological Society of South Africa. Rina is the Vice-president of the Society and Jurie the Secretary. Rina possesses what must be one of the finest and best documented private shell collections in the country, housed in their spacious
ABOVE: Mxolisi Fakude (left) and Leroy Nala, two of the Museum volunteers, getting stuck in at City Hall loading part of the shell collection onto a Museum vehicle ready for its move to the Research Centre.
TOP LEFT: Pringle’s marginella Afrivoluta pringlei, a spectacular species endemic to South Africa and the largest member of its family.
LEFT: Ribbed harp Harpa costata, a rare and valuable shell from Mauritius.
RIGHT: Marjorie Eva with part of her shell
collection that she donated to the Museum in 1989.
MITCHELL PARK ZOO
Walk in the footsteps of Nellie the elephant through Mitchell Park Zoo. As one of the oldest zoos in South Africa, Mitchell Park was established in 1900 as an ostrich farm and later was changed to a zoo. Over the years the zoo has housed lions, leopards, tigers and giraffe.
Today the zoo is home to birds, dwarf crocodiles, raccoon, small mammals and reptiles. The oldest inhabitant is Admiral the Giant Tortoise who boosts an age of 103.
Enjoy the exciting sounds of the animals around you in the beautiful gardens, while peacock walk freely along the paths. Sit down and enjoy a cup of tea and a toasted sandwich at the Tasty Toucan tuck shop or let the kids enjoy an ice cream on a hot Durban day.
For more information contact the Mitchell Park Zoo ticket office. Opening Hours 8:00 until 4:00 daily. Tel 031 303 2275. Or visit the zoo at 10 Ferndale Road, Morningside, Durban, 4001.
thola: VOLUME 17. 2014/15
Photo credit: Andrew Carter
Photo credit: DNSM
Photo credit: David Allan