Botswana 50-THEBE (KM7)¶
-
Reverse AFRICAN FISH EAGLE
-
Obverse Coat of Arms
- Composition
- Copper-Nickel
- Country
- Botswana
- Approx. Size
- 29mm
- Area
- Africa
- Animal Class
- Birds
- Species
- African Fish Eagle
- KM#
- 7
The African Fish Eagle is a large bird of prey indigenous to most of Africa south of the Sahara. It is in the same genus as the North American Bald Eagle, and looks pretty much the same. The Fish Eagle swoops down and plucks fish from the lake. If it catches a fish that is too heavy, it will drag it across the lake to the shore. If it catches a really heavy fish (or turtle or alligator), it will actually drop into the water and paddle to shore with its wings.
Botswana¶
- Area
- Africa
The area of Botswana was orginally occupied by the Bushmen, who unfortunately are dying off. Migrations from the north and east in the early 17th century have resulted in most of the present day population. The area was united in the early 19th century to deal with incursion threats from neighbouring areas. By the late 19th century, the area -- known as Bechuanaland -- enlisted the aid of Britain who made it a British protectorate. The northern part of Bechuanaland remained under Britain's wing until it became the independent Republic of Botswana in 1966. Botswana is known as 'the Gem of Africa.'
