The Sasol Bird Fair, southern Africa's largest annual bird fair, promises birding enthusiasts and families alike a fun-filled weekend from 7 to 8 June 2014. The fair, hosted in partnership with BirdLife South Africa and the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) will be held at Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden - a 300 hectare botanical reserve nestled in the mountainside of Roodepoort.
Entrance is only R35 per person, with discounted rates for scholars, children and pensioners. Entrance is free for Botanical Society of South Africa (BOTSOC) members. The fair includes activities for the entire family, ranging from interactive and educational activities for children to photography courses for the adults. Moreover, there will be interesting activities such as bird identification courses, competitions and guided bird walks at various venues in the gardens.
This year’s theme for the Sasol Bird Fair is Going Inland to Save our Seabirds. BirdLife South Africa’s Bird of the Year for 2014 is the seabird, Tristan Albatross, one of only two critically endangered species that occur in South Africa.
Dr Ross Wanless, BirdLife South Africa’s Seabird Programme Manager said, “Seabirds, particularly Albatrosses, are becoming increasingly threatened at a faster rate globally than any other group of birds. Through the Sasol Bird Fair, we create much needed awareness about the importance of bird and bird habitat conservation. We need to heighten a public interest towards protecting bird life and their habitats in order to truly improve the quality of life for not just birds, but for other wildlife and ultimately people too.”
Richard Hughes, Sponsorship Manager at Sasol said, “The Sasol Bird Fair is an interactive experience around birds and birding, and a celebration of our country’s magnificent birdlife. We are excited to be involved in raising awareness of conservation issues while at the same time enticing South Africans to experience our marvelous feathered friends. The Sasol Bird Fair is a unique opportunity to combine a fun family outing with an opportunity to learn more about the birds that share our gardens and parks with us.”
Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden’s Curator, Thompson Mutshinyalo said, “We are excited about the Sasol Bird Fair, which will enhance our quest for preserving our biodiversity in the botanical reserve; and help us educate the public further about the need to take care of the environment and the living organisms it harbours. The public can support this venture by attending the fair in their great numbers.”
For more information about the Sasol Bird Fair, please contact Nikki McCartney on 083 636 1060 or events@birdlife.org.za.
About Sasol
Sasol has committed itself to sponsoring numerous birding projects with the aim of fostering enthusiasm for the preservation of the country’s birds. The company also supports the activities of the Endangered Wildlife Trust's vulture study group, the Ground Hornbill project and various other initiatives – all aimed at creating enthusiasm for and preservation of our precious bird resource in South Africa.
About Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden - ‘Nature’s best-kept secret’
Discover a breeding pair of majestic Verreaux's Eagles nest on the cliffs alongside the Witpoortjie waterfall. This Garden covers almost 300ha of landscaped indigenous gardens and natural veld areas along the Roodekrans Ridge and is home to an abundance of wildlife with over 220 birds species recorded on site. The variety of habitats accommodates over 600 naturally occurring plant species, a number of reptiles and small mammals, including small antelope and jackals, which occur naturally in the Nature Reserve.
Explore the Geological Display Garden exhibiting rocks and mining minerals such as gold and platinum is wonderfully landscaped for viewing. Visit www.sanbi.org.za for more information.
About BirdLife SA
BirdLife South Africa’s vision is to promote the conservation, research, understanding, observation of and enjoyment of natural birds, and their habitats. BirdLife South Africa is the largest non-profit bird conservation organization in the country. It relies on donor funding and financial support from the public to carry out its critical conservation work. For more information, visit www.birdlife.org.za.
Ends
Issued by:
Alex Anderson, Group Media Manager
Direct telephone +27 (11) 441 3295; Mobile +27 (0) 71 600 9605;
alex.anderson@sasol.com
Jacqui O’Sullivan, GM: Group Communication
Direct telephone +27 (11) 441 3252; Mobile +27 (0) 82 883 9697;
jacqui.osullivan@sasol.com
