Windhoek, Sept 30, (dpa/GNA) – A rapidly spreading fire is causing significant devastation, in the popular Etosha National Park in Namibia, with government reports saying, around 30% of the grazing areas of the wildlife reserve have been destroyed.
Strong winds and dry vegetation contributed to the rapid spread of the fire, Vice President Lucia Witbooi said on Monday. Witbooi stated that the fire poses “a significant threat to biodiversity and wildlife.”
The fire is believed to have broken out on September 22 in the south-western part of the park. The cause is still under investigation.
The government has now deployed more than 500 soldiers and helicopters, in addition to firefighters and park authorities, to bring the fire under control, said Witbooi.
The Etosha National Park is one of Africa’s most important nature reserves, and with an area of more than 22,000 square kilometres, is over half the size of Switzerland.
Numerous animal species live in the park, including elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras and many types of antelope. The area is considered an important habitat for endangered black rhinoceroses.
Etosha is also known for its 130-kilometre-long and 50-kilometre-wide “salt pan,” which attracts thousands of flamingos and other bird species after heavy rains.
GNA