Biodiversity Conservation

Boma and Badingilo national parks form the heart of a vast, transboundary wilderness stretching across South Sudan and into Ethiopia – an area of global significance for biodiversity. Millions of white-eared kob, tiang, Mongalla gazelle, and Bohor reedbuck continue their seasonal movements across this landscape, making it home to the largest land mammal migration on Earth.

After decades of civil unrest, little was known about wildlife populations. The task of establishing an effective approach to manage biodiversity in a largely unknown landscape has been mammoth.

Boma National Park
Covering over 19,000 km², Boma spans diverse habitats from arid grasslands to woodland and seasonal wetlands. The southern zone is dry and sparsely vegetated, while the east hosts woodland, and the west opens into expansive grasslands. Rivers and waterholes, including the Juom Swamp in the north, are crucial dry-season refuges, supporting species like white-eared kob during their migration. These varied ecosystems are vital not just for wildlife, but also for people who rely on them for water and grazing. 

Badingilo National Park
Once designated to protect black rhino (now locally extinct), Badingilo covers nearly 9,000 km² and lies within the Sudano-Guinean biome. Despite the loss of some iconic species, the park remains an important stronghold for migratory wildlife. 

Both parks also support an important population of Critically Endangered Nubian giraffe (a subspecies of northern giraffe), Critically Endangered northern lion and north-east African cheetah.

The Boma-Badingilo landscape is home to the largest land mammal migration on Earth © Marcus Westberg

To conserve the area’s wildlife, their numbers and movements must be understood, and sustainable management practices devised. Quantifying the Great Nile Migration was an enormous effort due to the vastness of the area and the sheer number of animals involved. However, technologies like satellite tracking and remote sensing provided accurate data collection on migration patterns and habitat usage, essential for developing effective conservation strategies. 

In 2023, the first comprehensive aerial survey took place of wildlife, livestock and human activity across the Boma Badingilo Jonglei Landscape. The surveys established accurate estimates of wildlife population numbers, revealing that Boma-Badingilo is home to wildlife in numbers far greater than previously predicted. As announced by the President in June 2024, South Sudan is home to the largest land mammal migration on Earth, estimated at approximately six million antelope.

The results of this survey combined with data collected from collared animals provided crucial information to develop effective conservation strategies that will ensure long-term sustainability for both the wildlife and the people who depend on this important ecosystem.

Building on the momentum of the survey, a comprehensive wildlife collaring operation was conducted in partnership with the Ministry of Wildlife Conservation and Tourism to track and monitor species. This major effort involved collaring 125 animals across 13 species, including migratory antelope, elephant, giraffe, cheetah and lion. In addition, 15 vultures were tagged (9 white-backed, 4 Rüppell’s, 1 white-headed), and since then healthy populations of the birds have been observed with evidence of breeding activity among hooded vultures.

Read a detailed account of this wildlife monitoring project here.

Ranger training in Boma and Badingilo national parks headquarters © Marcus Westberg

Despite its significance, the migration faces serious threats. Satellite data revealed that much of the tiang and white-eared kob range lies outside protected areas, exposing them to unsustainable bushmeat harvesting in Jonglei State during the dry season. There have also been declines in most sedentary species, such as elephant and giraffe, as shown by a comparison with surveys from the 1980s — highlighting the need for landscape-focused conservation efforts. 

Establishing the groundwork for effective park management is key to conserving the rich biodiversity that exists across both parks. This includes creating a well-trained and equipped conservation law enforcement team to carry out monitoring, patrols and surveillance. Importantly, all these efforts are coordinated through close collaboration with local communities and regional authorities. 

The Tiang Task Force (TTF) has also been set up where African Parks and government partners are working together to combat unsustainable levels of bushmeat harvesting.