'Felt like armageddon': Desperate efforts to save zoo animals in path of encroaching blaze

Staff at a NSW zoo are desperately trying to save 200 animals who are in the path of an out-of-control bushfire.

Mogo Zoo, 15km south of Batemans Bay and perilously close to the emergency warning level Clyde Mountain Fire, houses an array of animals including primates, zebras, lions and giraffes.

The 31,000-hectare blaze has since crossed the Pacific Highway and has reportedly destroyed property in the Batemans Bay area along the coast as residents rush to beaches to escape the danger.

A spokeswoman for the zoo, which has recently been taken over by Sydney’s Featherdale Wildlife Park, told Yahoo News Australia their director Chad Staples and about 14 other members of staff were working tirelessly to ensure the animals were safe.

“They’re doing everything they can, like they would to protect their own homes,” she said.

This included soaking everything around the large estate while rounding up the smaller animals, including some monkeys, and moving them into safer areas.

As of 2pm (local time) on Tuesday, Mr Staples has ensured the animals and staff were fine, and would provide an update if that were to change.

He told the ABC it “felt like armageddon” earlier in the day as staff were forced to extinguish spot fires near the estate.

Sally Padey, who founded the zoo 30 years ago, told The Daily Telegraph of her distress from the ongoing situation.

“I hope they’re going to be okay,” she said.

“It’s the worst thing to happen in the history of Mogo Zoo.

Batemans Bay surrounded by fires

The Currowan fire, which threatens Batemans Bay from the north, has since generated its own thunderstorm – causing dry lightning, spiralling smoke and rapid fire spread.

"We've got a lot of people who are very anxious and concerned about what's going on," Shoalhaven City Council Mayor Amanda Findley told AAP.

Bushfire conditions are deteriorating as a southerly sweeps through the state and pushes raging blazes northwards, opening new fire fronts.

The winds are expected to assist staff at the zoo in protecting the animals.

There are three civilians who are unaccounted for and feared dead in the NSW south coast townships of Cobargo and Belowra.

Earlier on Tuesday, a volunteer firefighter who died on Monday was identified as 28-year-old Samuel McPaul.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play.