birds

From the traditional artefacts of ancient cultures to the cutting-edge work of today's practitioners, South Africa's art museums and galleries offer visitors a rich artistic feast.

In the 19th century, Charles Darwin predicted that the origins of humankind would be traced back to Africa. With its rich fossil finds, the latest a new species called Australopithecus sebida, it seems the cradle is rightfully known as the birthplace of humanity.
• SA unearths new human ancestor

South Africa has eight World Heritage Sites, places identified by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization to be of "outstanding value to humanity".

South Africa has declared its first offshore marine protected area, over the Prince Edward Islands, as part of an effort to protect the country's offshore and deep ocean areas, as well as foster the recovery of the islands' toothfish populations.

In the late 18th century, Francois le Vaillant travelled through South Africa, recording all that he saw. On his return to France, he created a huge map of the land and its inhabitants for his king. For the first time, that map is on public display.
• Art infects the Mother City

The Birds of Eden avian sanctuary, located on the picturesque Garden Route, is the biggest single-dome free flight aviary in the world.
• New animal rehab centre for CT

The global scientific community was not left out of former South African president Nelson Mandela’s 94^th birthday celebrations on 18 July – scientists have named a newly discovered ancient bird after him.
• South Africa unearths new human ancestor

At least 2 500 farmers in the western districts of Uganda are earning extra cash and boosting their livelihoods, by planting trees alongside their crops in a scheme that is helping to sequester carbon dioxide.
• Ugandan eco project up for award

Angola’s bird population has received a boost with the news that a previously unknown tract of Afromontane forest, traditionally a haven for the feathered creatures, has been discovered.
• Mount Mabu yields hidden bounty

A South African-led research team working on Australopithecus sediba, the 2-million-year-old human ancestor recently discovered in South Africa, have published new findings on what our early ancestors ate that are causing a stir in scientific circles.