South Sudan has banned all forms of hunting

South Sudan has banned all forms of wildlife hunting, the National Conservation Agency stated. A progressive step for a country still facing civil war.

South Sudan is the youngest state in the world, it was formed in 2011 after it gained independence thanks to a referendum that followed a 20 year-long war. Nevertheless, there’s still conflict even after the separation from the northern part of the country, partly because of the difficulties presented by the coexistence of sixty different ethnic groups, and also because of the disputes for the treasures that are hidden underground, for example oil. In 2013 a new civil war broke out, and since then it has caused more than 50,000 victims and nearly 2 and a half million refugees.

South Sudan war even peace treaty
South Sudan is still suffering the consequences of war even after a peace treaty was signed in 2015 © Scott Nelson/Getty Images

The dangers of poaching

The conflict that has been devastating this nation also causes great damage to the wildlife. Many species are collateral victims of the war; animals are also being hunted to offset the lack of food among the population. The main threat to species at risk is the increase in poaching aimed at selling animal parts.

A global heritage that must be preserved

On the 6th of March the Ministry of Wildlife Conservation and Tourism of South Sudan banned all forms of wildlife hunting to contrast the phenomenon that threatens to compromise the extraordinary natural heritage of South Sudan, the place where the second largest migration of land mammals takes place and that hosts species of global importance like elephants, giraffes, lions and hippos. This measure also bans the trade in hunting trophies as well as wildlife products like animal skins, meat, fur and bird feathers.

In the 70's there were about 80,000 Elephants living in what is currently called South Sudan, the population is now made up of around 2,300 specimens ©Ingimage
In the 1970s there were about 80,000 elephants living in what is currently called South Sudan, the population is now limited to around 2,300 specimens © Ingimage

Safer parks

According to Thomas Sebit, spokesperson for the Ministry of Wildlife Conservation and Tourism, the objective of this legislation is to eliminate poaching in all national parks within the country. Sebit claims that: “Our national parks are filled with armed people who kill animals randomly, both young and old, and bushmeat is sold freely in markets”.

The road to ecotourism

According to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), South Sudan is an excellent destination for ecotourism. In addition to large mammals like elephants, giraffes, lions, buffalos and hippos, the country is home to one of the largest humid regions in the world, inhabited by approximately 400 species of birds. Nevertheless, according to the WTTC, tourism generated only 1.8 per cent of the country’s GDP in 2013. “We invite our tourists to obey the law, animals are a resource that will help us strengthen our economy. We have to focus on protecting endangered species so that future generations may still benefit from their presence,” Sebit stated.

The state of South Sudan’s fauna

Last year the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) published a report on the first aerial assessment of the impact of South Sudan’s current civil war on the country’s wildlife, financed by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and which analysed Boma, Badingilo, Nimule, Southern and Shambe national parks. What emerged from the study that was conducted between 2015 and 2016 was that the most iconic species have survived but have suffered a decrease in numbers. For example, the elephant population has decreased sharply in the last 50 years, only 730 specimens were located in the area analysed by the WCS, whilst only a few hundred giraffe individuals are left, putting them at risk of extinction locally.

The WCS's investigation analysed around 20,845 square kilometres of the territory. Unfortunataly almost 50 per cent of the important wildlife areas that had been previously documented were unaccessible because of the civil war ©Ingimage
The WCS’s investigation analysed around 20,845 square kilometres of the territory. Unfortunately almost 50 per cent of the important wildlife areas that had been previously documented were unaccessible because of the civil war © Ingimage

Protecting wildlife to help the community

Even though their numbers have decreased, these animals are surviving the civil war and the new legislation could represent a crucial step forward for their conservation. President and CEO of the WCS Christiàn Samper said: “There is still hope for South Sudan’s wildlife, but there must be action taken to ensure the protection of South Sudan’s natural heritage which is vital for wildlife and communities alike. Healthy wildlife populations and well managed parks can improve livelihoods and security, and stabilise the region”.

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