A wildfire has ravaged Namibia’s Etosha National Park, destroying more than a third of the country’s flagship reserve before firefighters finally contained it.
Environment Minister Indileni Daniel announced on Monday that the blaze, which burned unchecked for eight days, is now under control.
What started the wildfire?
The fire erupted on 22 September in the park’s southwest and tore through roughly 775163 hectares, around 34 percent of Etosha.
Investigators believe the fire started at a charcoal production site, but they are still conducting a full inquiry to confirm the cause.
The Environment Ministry said the wildfire caused severe ecological damage, wiping out thousands of square kilometers of crucial wildlife habitat.
The full toll on the park’s renowned wildlife population remains unclear.
Preliminary reports confirm at least nine antelopes perished in the flames. Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila disclosed that an elephant was also killed.
According to AFP, officials warn, however, that the true number of animal deaths could be far higher.
The military helps to stop the blaze
The Namibian government launched a large-scale emergency response on Sunday. They sent more than 500 soldiers to support the worn-out firefighting crews.
Military helicopters and water tankers joined the effort. They helped authorities to stop the blaze from destroying more of the 22 270-square-kilometer park.
“The fire is now contained,” Daniel told the state-run Namibia Broadcasting Corporation. “There was no visible fire as we flew over, but there are some places that have got fires on and off.”
