South Africa has over 125 species of birds that are listed in the Red Data book and all face different levels of being endangered. Addressing this issue, BirdLife South Africa has numerous annual initiatives, including identifying a Bird of the Year, to create awareness about the importance of birds and bird habitat conservation.

Wetland conservation is the theme for the annual Sasol Bird Fair that is set to take place on the 25^th and 26^th of May 2013, at the Johannesburg Zoo. The entrance fee is only R40 per person, with fun activities on offer for the entire family, including interactive and educational activities for children.

This year’s Bird of the Year, the White-winged Flufftail, is one of South Africa’s five “Critically Endangered” bird species and is a main focus of Birdlife South Africa’s conservation efforts. It is a wetland specialist and an ambassador for wetland bird species.

Hanneline Smit-Robinson, BirdLife South Africa’s Conservation Manager said, “Not much is known on the White-winged Flufftail, except that it has a highly fragmented distribution, a small population and specific habitat requirements. These birds are only known to occur in high altitude wetlands in South Africa and Ethiopia. It is severely threatened by habitat destruction and degradation, including wetland drainage, agriculture, water abstraction, overgrazing by livestock and cutting of marsh vegetation.

“Wetlands are one of the most threatened habitats in South Africa and water is one of South Africa's scarcest resources. At present, many water resources are polluted by industrial effluents, domestic and commercial sewage, acid mine drainage, agricultural runoff and litter,” added Smit-Robinson.

Sasol has committed itself to sponsoring a variety of birding projects. Sasol aims to foster enthusiasm for the preservation of our country’s birds. The company also supports the activities of the Endangered Wildlife Trust's vulture study group, the Ground Hornbill project and numerous other initiatives, all aimed at creating enthusiasm and preservation of our precious bird resource in South Africa.

Richard Hughes, Sponsorship Manager at Sasol said, “South Africa is blessed with a diverse species of birds – a heritage that we need to protect. We are excited to raise awareness of conservation issues and promote birding as an interesting and worthwhile pastime.”

The Zoo contributes to conservation of species in an attempt to help animals in the wild to survive. The Zoo houses 27 endangered species and participates in at least six conservation projects, namely: the Wattled Crane Recovery Programme, Frog, Vulture, Oribi, Indigenous Sheep Conservation Projects and the Mabula Ground Hornbill Project.

Ends.

About the Sasol Bird Fair

The Sasol Bird Fair is a project of BirdLife South Africa, sponsored by Sasol, in partnership with Johannesburg Zoo and City Parks. It the largest fair of its kind in southern Africa, which attracts enthusiasts from all over the country. Both days, 25 – 26 May 2013, promise to be enjoyable with tons of free activities, exhibitions, workshops and guided bird walks on offer. The focus of the fair this year is on wetland birds - especially the Bird of the Year, the White-winged Flufftail. The aim of the fair is to foster enthusiasm for the preservation of our country’s birdlife, by educating the public about birds and bird conservation, and inspiring an interest in bird-watching.

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