Wildfires Destroy Over Third of Namibia's Etosha Park, Threaten Wildlife Communities

A massive wildfire has devastated over a third of Namibia's Etosha National Park, burning approximately 1.1 million hectares including 775,000 hectares within the park and 171,000 hectares of surrounding grazing land and communities. The fire, which started on September 22, has caused extensive ecological damage and threatened biodiversity, including populations of critically endangered black rhinoceros and other wildlife, with confirmed animal casualties such as antelopes and a rescued pangolin. The Namibian government has deployed more than 500 soldiers, alongside police, local firefighters, helicopters, and water tankers in an ongoing effort to contain the blaze, which continues to spread rapidly due to limited resources and the dry season. The fires have also impacted local villages, destroying grazing fields and threatening livelihoods and food security, though no human casualties have been reported. Authorities suspect the fire may have originated from charcoal production activities on farms bordering the park. Despite the scale of the disaster, no state of emergency has been declared, with decisions pending further assessment of the situation and damage.