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Namibia deploys army to fight wildfire burning third of Etosha game reserve Namibia deploys army to fight wildfire burning third of Etosha game reserve
(30 minutes later)
Vast tract of park that is home to 114 mammal species, including critically endangered black rhino, affectedVast tract of park that is home to 114 mammal species, including critically endangered black rhino, affected
Namibia has begun deploying hundreds of soldiers to fight a fire that has burned through a third of the vast Etosha national park, one of Africa’s largest game reserves, officials said.Namibia has begun deploying hundreds of soldiers to fight a fire that has burned through a third of the vast Etosha national park, one of Africa’s largest game reserves, officials said.
The park in the north of the largely desert country is home to 114 species of mammals, notably the critically endangered black rhinoceros, and is a major tourist attraction.The park in the north of the largely desert country is home to 114 species of mammals, notably the critically endangered black rhinoceros, and is a major tourist attraction.
The fire had been burning since 22 September and has caused extensive ecological damage, already burning through about 34% of the park, the environment ministry said. The fire had been burning since 22 September and had caused extensive ecological damage, already burning through about 34% of the park, the environment ministry said.
After an emergency cabinet meeting on Saturday, the government said 500 extra soldiers would be deployed from Sunday to assist troops, police, locals and other firefighters at the scene, the office of the prime minister, Elijah Ngurare, said in a post on Facebook. After an emergency cabinet meeting on Saturday, the government said 500 extra soldiers would be deployed from Sunday to assist troops, police, local people and other firefighters at the scene, the office of the prime minister, Elijah Ngurare, said in a post on Facebook.
“The order was given that the troops must be deployed, and if all are not on the ground yet, they will be there soon,” the defence minister, Frans Kapofi, said on Sunday.“The order was given that the troops must be deployed, and if all are not on the ground yet, they will be there soon,” the defence minister, Frans Kapofi, said on Sunday.
“They are deployed from various regions and will be deployed to all affected areas,” he said.“They are deployed from various regions and will be deployed to all affected areas,” he said.
At least nine antelope have been killed in the blaze, which is believed to have started from charcoal production activities on bordering commercial farms, the ministry said. At least nine antelope have been killed in the blaze, which was believed to have started from charcoal production activities on bordering commercial farms, the ministry said.
The main feature of the 8,600 sq mile (22,270 sq kilometre) park is the ancient Etosha salt pan, which is 80 miles long and 30 wide and draws huge flocks of flamingoes during the rainy season. The main feature of the 8,600 sq mile (22,270 sq km) park is the ancient Etosha salt pan, which is 80 miles long and 30 wide and draws huge flocks of flamingoes during the rainy season.