Wildebeest migration in Kenya and Tanzania is triggered by the search for water and pasture. However, in South Sudan, migration in past years has been largely due to civil wars.
History records that during times of conflict, South Sudan experienced a massive movement of wildlife.
Around 250,000 Mongalla gazelles, 160,000 topi, kobs, small tan and white antelopes with a black stripe on their flank, horned antelopes, redbucks, and ostriches were among the migrating animals.
This migration happened during periods of political instability. The loud noise of gunshots disrupted the normal routine of the wildlife, causing them to move.
However, when the fighting stopped and peace returned, the country was promised independence in four years.
Later, a team led by Dr. Kay was sent to investigate the massive movement of wildlife in the bush. Their report showed that a large number of animal species had been lost in the southwest region.
Tourists stopped seeing buffaloes in that area, yet in previous years, their population was around 60,000. Only one group of elephants was sighted.
This was heartbreaking because, in the past, over 10,000 elephants roamed freely, feeding on the grasslands. Poachers also contributed to the decline of wildlife.
However, the government now arrests poachers when caught. Unlike other areas, the eastern side remains protected because the Nile River acts as a natural barrier.
Wildlife Conservation Efforts
Surveys show that even in the southeastern region, the number of zebras has greatly decreased. Previous surveys recorded around 200,000 zebras in Boma National Park, but their numbers have now dropped.
To protect the remaining wildlife, the Wildlife Conservation Society has started projects to conserve endangered species. There is also a call for the creation of an international conservation mission. This effort aims to:
- Teach local villagers the importance of wildlife conservation.
- Deploy officials in national parks to protect animals from poachers.
The project would have been called the Sudano-Sahel Initiative if the two countries had not split. However, one of the biggest threats to wildlife in South Sudan today is oil extraction.
Large forests are cleared to extract oil, displacing many wild animals from their natural habitat.
Wildlife must be conserved. That is why there is a call to the South Sudan government to put strong measures in place for the protection of the country’s wildlife.
