RARE FANTA 'BIRDS OF AFRICA' ~ OSTRICH c1962

DESCRIPTION:

An extremely rare, hard white plastic Ostrich figurine, part of the 'Birds of Africa' series.
At the launches in Johannesburg, Durban, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town, homing pigeons were released
by public dignitaries to carry promissory notes from Fanta bottlers to authorities concerned with
the preservation of wild birds, at each destination the notes were exchanged for cheques.
Destinations receiving contributions included the Parks Board 'Water for Game' fund, the
aviary for Natal Waxbills at Mitchell Park, the Eastern Cape Wild Bird Society and the Percy
Fitzpatrick Institute of African Ornithology. The 'pigeon post', as it was named, was the
beginning of the 'Birds of Africa' campaign sponsored by Coca-Cola bottlers in South Africa.
Consumers were required to exchange marked Fanta bottle caps and one cent for a bird figurine,
with proceeds going to the protection of South African birds. The initial promotion offered
12 different figurines of African birds, which were as true to life as possible in every detail.

Abridged version of original submitted by Ruth Ashley to The Coca-Cola Collectors News.

MARKS:

Base marked Fanta on one side and Reg. Des. No. 439/61 on the other.

CONDITION:

Vintage, legs, neck and plumage intact.

DIMENSIONS:

Approximately 56mm in height.