Zimbabwe's Stone Birds Returned After Colonial Plunder

All seven of Zimbabwe's iconic stone-carved birds, known as the Zimbabwe Bird, have been repatriated after being looted during the colonial era. The birds, which date back to the Great Zimbabwe civilization (11th–15th centuries), were taken by Cecil Rhodes' British South Africa Company in the 1890s and later held by various institutions, including the South African Museum in Cape Town and private collections. The final bird was returned in 2026, completing a decades-long restitution process. The Zimbabwe Bird is a national symbol, appearing on the country's flag and currency. The repatriation was facilitated by the Zimbabwean government, the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe, and international partners. The birds are now housed at the Museum of African Liberation in Harare, with plans for a permanent exhibition.