Fire devastates Kenyan park
25th February 2008
There was more disaster for beleaguered Kenya at the weekend as wildfires devastated part of Lake Nakuru National Park.
The park, in the country’s central Great Rift Valley, is about 150km north west of the capital Nairobi. It ‘s famous for its large population of lesser flamingos, although their numbers have been decreasing in the last decade.
The park is also home to a variety of endangered species, including black and white rhino. They’ve been forced to move to the south of the park following the fires. Herds of zebra, buffalo and impala have also seen their habitats destroyed.
The first fire began as a bush fire, started by burning litter nearby, which was blown into the park by strong winds on Thursday. Park rangers, with help from soldiers and volunteers from the nearby town, managed to bring the fire under control within a few hours.
On Friday a second fire, started by someone burning branches just outside the park, also spread into the park, threatening two lodges. That was eventually also brought under control.
There are fears that, while smaller plants will regrow quickly, much of the woodland that has been destroyed will take years to return to its former state. As the black rhino makes its home in woodland, the park’s population is likely to have to relocate permanently, as will many species of bird.
In other Kenya news, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has now lifted its warning on travelling to the Western, Nyanza and Rift Valley provinces.
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