South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Awan Achiek
The government has announced that the country has the largest land mammal migration in the world, according to a survey released on Tuesday in Juba.
The first comprehensive aerial wildlife survey conducted by the non-profit African Parks along with the government in Badingilo, Boma and Jonglei landscape from April 2023 to January 2024, has revealed that South Sudan has the highest population of antelopes estimated at 6 million.
The aerial wildlife survey captured 60,000 photos, tracked more than a hundred collared animals over about 46,000 square miles (120,000 square kilometers).
It noted that these finding so far surpasses other large migratory herds such as the estimated 1.36 million wild beasts surveyed last year in the Serengeti straddling Tanzania and Kenya.
The survey results, combined with data from the collaring of hundreds of different animals from multiple species put the country in the world’s first position.
President Salva Kiir Mayardit said the country is a land rich in biodiversity, boasting some of the world’s rarest and most beautiful animals.
“Our grasslands and protected cultural sites provide a haven for some of the largest populations of antelopes on Earth. Today, with great pride, I announce the findings of this census to our nation and the international community,” Kiir said during the launch of the report in Juba.
“The total wildlife population in South Sudan is estimated at 5.8 million. Congratulations on this achievement. You must keep increasing them, not decreasing the animals,” he added.
Rizik Zakaria Hassan, Minister of Wildlife Conservation and Tourism said the census population estimates indicates that Boma, Badingilo and Jonglei Landscape contains the largest global migration of antelopes on earth.
“This operation signals South Sudan as an appropriate tourism destination and a country to visit. We are sending this message that we are a country to visit based on these marvelous findings,” said Zakaria.
Charles Wells, Chief Operating Officer of African Parks said that the conservation of wildlife in this landscape should be aligned with the country’s much-needed economic development for the benefit of both people and nature.
“The long-term conservation and protection of this migration landscape can only be achieved through the active participation and engagement with government institutions at national, state and district levels, as well as traditional authorities and, importantly, the local communities,” Wells said.
