The Great African Seaforest

A New Seven Wonder of the World

Ask almost anyone around the world and they would have heard about My
Octopus Tacher, the Academy Award-winning documentary. The documentary
takes place in the kelp forests found in the icy Atlantic waters off the Cape
Peninsula and features a “superstar” octopus living in the forest.

During the filming of the documentary, a group of scientists, journalists and

filmmakers uncovered some amazing wonders hidden in the undersea kelp
forests. They discovered seven new species and over 40 new animal behaviours
using a unique new tracking method developed by Craig Foster, the human
star of the show.

Following the international success of My Octopus Teacher, Bloomberg

reported that the kelp forests along the Cape coast, now known as the
Great African Seaforest, have been named one of the New Seven Wonders of
the World.

The Great African Seaforest is the only forest of bamboo kelp on earth and is
startling in the abundance of marine creatures and rich biodiversity found
there. It has only recently been named to create awareness around the kelp
forest for its long-term protection. It is common to find new species or new
animal behaviours in the Seaforest daily, making its value to the natural
world priceless.

Described by Bloomberg as “a shallow underwater jungle more than twice as

wide as the Grand Canyon – and a home to millions of creatures”, it shares its
place as a New Seven Wonder with:

• Antequera Dolmens, Spain • Top End Rock Art, Australia

• Baalbek, Lebanon • San Agustin, Colombia

• Nahanni, Canada • Sigiriya, Sri Lanka

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 The Great African Seaforest

Comprehension Questions
1. Name the documentary featuring an octopus as the main star. (1)

2. Where does this documentary take place? (2)

3. Who is the human star of the show? (2)

4. Scientists, filmmakers and journalists discovered amazing wonders in the undersea kelp
forests. What exactly did they discover? (2)

5. What makes the Great African Sea Forest different from other kelp forests around the
world? (1)

6. What is the importance of Bloomberg naming this kelp forest? (2)

7. The kelp forest’s value to the natural world is priceless. How often are new species of sea
animals found in this kelp forest? (1)

8. How did Bloomberg describe this new World Wonder? (3)

9. List the other new six wonders mentioned in the story in alphabetical order. (4)

10. Do you think climate change and plastic pollution will have a negative effect on this
Great African Kelp Forest? Give a reason for your answer. (2)

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 The Great African Seaforest

Comprehension Answers
1. Name the documentary featuring an octopus as the main star. (1)
My Octopus Teacher

2. Where does this documentary take place? (2)

Off the Cape Peninsula, in the icy waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

3. Who is the human star of the show? (2)

Craig Foster

4. Scientists, filmmakers and journalists discovered amazing wonders in the undersea kelp
forests. What exactly did they discover? (2)
They used a unique tracking device to discover seven new species and 40 new animal
behaviours.

5. What makes the Great African Sea Forest different from other kelp forests around the
world? (1)
This is the only forest of bamboo kelp.

6. What is the importance of Bloomberg naming this kelp forest? (2)

Naming the forest has created awareness and allows for the protection of the
kelp forest.

7. The kelp forest’s value to the natural world is priceless. How often are new species of sea
animals found in this kelp forest? (1)
New species are found daily.

8. How did Bloomberg describe this new World Wonder? (3)

“A shallow underwater jungle more than twice as wide as the Grand Canyon – and a
home to millions of creatures.”
Can be quoted or written in learner’s own words.

9. List the other new six wonders mentioned in the story in alphabetical order. (4)
Antequera Dolmens; Baalbek; Nahanni; San Agustin; Sigiriya; Top End Rock Art,
(Half a mark each and one mark for correct alphabetical order)

10. Do you think climate change and plastic pollution will have a negative effect on this
Great African Kelp Forest? Give a reason for your answer. (2)
Yes, any reasonable answer can be accepted such as animal species may die due to
eating plastic, kelp forests may not grow if the water temperature gets too hot.

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