Big 5 under fire threat as central Pilanesberg burns
A wildfire at the Pilanesberg National Park near Sun City burnt down the Mankwe camp‚ and moved quickly through the fenced Big 5 park at the weekend.
The fire was still burning on Monday morning.
My beloved Pilanesberg.... Truly worrying news that Pilanesberg National Park had a devastating fire last night and...
Posted by Heinrich Neumeyer on Sunday, September 2, 2018
Park authorities said it began on Saturday night from the north of the park‚ and ran through the park on Sunday with the wind blowing south. They confirmed the Mankwe hide was destroyed by the fire.
On its Facebook page‚ it shared images of the devastation‚ adding though that "lots of people" were putting their lives on the line to try and contain the fire.
"Our thoughts are with all the teams on the ground and the beloved wildlife caught up in this disaster." Images are being shared by visitors and nature-lovers.
Mankwe hide completely destroyed in the out of control raging fire
— Latest Pilanesberg (@LatestPilanesBG) September 2, 2018
Most of the central part of the park burned fire now moving towards Kwa Maritane
Tinged by Chris - Wild World Tours pic.twitter.com/fT4Znz1L0E
@KP24 @SORAI2018 have you seen the distressing news about Pilanesburg??? Huge wild fire which is endangering Lions, Elephants, Giraffe, Leopards and Rhinos. #pilanesburg
— Alex Swain (@Zandfer) September 2, 2018