In Turkey wildfire, 'Miracle' goats defy flames
These two baby goats survived Turkey's wildfires
Location: Manavgat, Turkey
Farmer Sercan Bayat lost eight of his livestock in the blaze
but later found a newborn goat lying helpless
after its mother had died in the fire
(SOUNDBITE) (Turkish) FARMER, SERCAN BAYAT, SAYING:"Two or three hours after the flames were put out, I saw this one on the ground. He is our baby goat now. We called him Miracle.//We found another goat amidst the wildfire. She has a baby. There you go. Miracle number two. This is our Miracle number two. Miracle suckles her mother. So our miracle has arrived. This is the fourth day of wildfires. Let's see what the future holds."
The massive forest fire that swept through Bayat's village
was one of about 100 fires across southern and western Turkey
Thousands were evacuated from their homes
(SOUNDBITE) (Turkish) FARMER, SERCAN BAYAT, SAYING:"I am only worried about these animals. If I had died, it wouldn't matter. Gendermarie soldiers couldn't take me away. When our village was being evacuated, I couldn't leave. I asked my parents to stay. I asked them: 'If we die here, shall we die together with them?' And they said yes. So we stayed. I wish the animals survived and I was dead instead. They are innocent creatures of God. I wish they survived."
