Namibia says it is sending in helicopters and hundreds of soldiers to battle a fire that has ravaged a third of a key nature reserve. Etosha National Park is one of southern Africa's top tourist attractions, known for its vast salt pan that can be seen from space. It is also home to critically endangered black rhinos.
The country's environment ministry believes the fire broke out on Monday at a charcoal production site outside the park's borders. Almost a week on, it has spread into the park, killing at least nine antelope and destroying wildlife habitats, as well as grazing pastures in the Omusati and Oshana regions bordering Angola.
Opposition MP Likando Rodrick recently criticized the government for failing to contain the fire, stating they should have been better prepared and urging them to improve their long-term response measures. An emergency meeting on Saturday decided to send in 500 more troops to assist firefighters, police, and volunteers currently combating the fire, as announced by Prime Minister Tjitunga Elijah Ngurare.
Covering a total of 22,935 sq km (8,855 sq miles), Etosha National Park is one of the largest in Africa, attracting around 200,000 tourists annually. The park is home to 114 mammal species and numerous migratory birds, including flamingos.
Experts indicate that while wildfires naturally occur in arid savannahs, they are essential to maintaining healthy ecosystems, provided they are managed effectively.
The country's environment ministry believes the fire broke out on Monday at a charcoal production site outside the park's borders. Almost a week on, it has spread into the park, killing at least nine antelope and destroying wildlife habitats, as well as grazing pastures in the Omusati and Oshana regions bordering Angola.
Opposition MP Likando Rodrick recently criticized the government for failing to contain the fire, stating they should have been better prepared and urging them to improve their long-term response measures. An emergency meeting on Saturday decided to send in 500 more troops to assist firefighters, police, and volunteers currently combating the fire, as announced by Prime Minister Tjitunga Elijah Ngurare.
Covering a total of 22,935 sq km (8,855 sq miles), Etosha National Park is one of the largest in Africa, attracting around 200,000 tourists annually. The park is home to 114 mammal species and numerous migratory birds, including flamingos.
Experts indicate that while wildfires naturally occur in arid savannahs, they are essential to maintaining healthy ecosystems, provided they are managed effectively.
