Monday, April 25, 2016

Capt. Harold B. Potter, Game Conservator in Zululand, South Africa, 1930s & 1940s

The metal plaque-sign at the entrance to one of the Zululand game reserve/parks in eastern South Africa caught my eye:  Within Lies Our Work: Your Heritage  --  W.M. Power, H.B. Potter, A.E. Charter --  erected by the Natal Parks Board in Recognition of the unselfish services of three great conservationists. 




Once home from our trip, I asked Grandma Google about "H.B. Potter Zululand South Africa" and learned a little about this Potter fellow. Apparently born in England, Harold B. Potter lived with his wife, son and daughter in/near Zululand Park and was a great "mover and shaker" in the conservation of the local wild animals. He was appointed Game Conservator in 1929 and was still actively working in the late 1940s.

One link I found was: Images of ‘Wild Africa’: Nature tourism and the (re) creation of Hluhluwe game reserve, 1930-1945 by Shirley Brooks. It tells much about what Potter did and not too much about who he was.  The link is:  http://www.kznhass-history.net/files/seminars/Brooks2003.pdf