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In an ambitious effort to preserve the most significant land mammal migration on the planet, South Sudan has joined forces with the nonprofit African Parks, aiming to protect the diverse species that depend on this ecosystem for their survival. This noteworthy migration supports animals like the white-eared kob, tiang, Mongalla gazelle, and bohor reedbuck, all of which are antelope species that have adapted to the region’s seasonal shifts for countless years. The initiative seeks to safeguard as many as six million animals along the east bank of the White Nile, a major tributary of the Nile River.
Despite facing numerous obstacles, such as devastating floods, famine, and the impacts of a recent Civil War, a significant number of animals have managed to endure by following age-old migration paths. These paths often lead them through uninhabited “No Man’s Land” territories situated between tribal lands, which the indigenous populations leave undisturbed to allow for the animals’ passage.
In 2022, a landmark 10-year accord was inked between African Parks and South Sudan’s government for the stewardship of Boma National Park and Bandingilo National Park, both located in these crucial transition zones, to further the protection of these migratory species.
Scientists have long been aware of this migration but only recently have begun to unravel its complexities. To this end, African Parks collaborated with South Sudanese students from Juba University and representatives from various ethnic communities to conduct comprehensive aerial surveys over six months in 2023. These surveys collected extensive daily data over eight hours, meticulously counting each animal and identifying species, which revealed the migration’s circular nature driven by the pursuit of water during dry periods.
David Simpson, a park manager for African Parks, recounted an eye-opening experience during one of these aerial surveys, where initial concern over not finding wildlife quickly turned to awe as they encountered vast numbers of migrating animals.
African Parks has taken concrete steps to monitor the migrations closely by placing tracking collars on several species, including giraffes, lions, Nile lechwe, elephants, and cheetahs. This initiative, which started last year with 126 animals and continued this year with 127, aims to expand annually to facilitate better understanding and protection of these movements.
In South Sudan, where seventeen ethnic groups coexist, wildlife migration is deeply entwined with culture, providing essential resources like clothing, shelter, and medicine, while also holding significant cultural and spiritual meaning as a symbol of abundance and prosperity. Collaborative efforts between these communities and African Parks are underway to foster conservation practices that mitigate threats to wildlife and ensure the survival of these species.
Local tribespeople, now integral members of the African Parks team, are actively involved in spreading conservation awareness, blending traditional knowledge with modern techniques to protect the ecosystem and promote community engagement.
However, challenges loom as increasing development, road construction, and bushmeat poaching threaten this delicate balance. African Parks warns that without ongoing cooperation and education on conservation among the indigenous populations, the unique wildlife of South Sudan could disappear in the next five to ten years. Balancing conservation efforts with sustainable tourism development is essential for enhancing the region’s economy while preserving its natural heritage.
African Parks team members, including those from indigenous backgrounds, emphasize the critical importance of understanding wildlife behavior in the face of growing human impact, highlighting the need for cautious development that respects the natural habits and safety of these animals.