The first large-scale aerial survey of wildlife in South Sudan has confirmed the world's largest land mammal migration.
The breathtaking spectacle, known as the Great Nile Migration, includes approximately six million antelope.
The survey, part of an ongoing partnership between African Parks and the Government of South Sudan, was conducted in the Boma Badingilo Jonglei Landscape (BBJL).
The millions of migrating antelope included white-eared kob, Mongalla gazelle, tiang and Bohor reedbuck.
The survey results will be used to help develop an understanding of the landscape, allowing conservationists to develop ways to ensure it can deliver sustainability for both wildlife and people in the area.
“As we all know South Sudan is a land rich in biodiversity, boasting some of the most beautiful animals," said H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan, who announced the results of the survey.
"Our grasslands and protected sites provide a haven for some of the largest populations of antelope on earth. Today with great pride I announce the findings of this census to this nation and the international community. It has brought us the position of number one (in the world).
"As South Sudan continues to develop we are committed to transforming the wildlife sector into a sustainable tourism industry. To activate this I call upon the security forces, particularly the Ministry of Wildlife and its partners to prioritise the training and equipping of wildlife rangers to combat poaching and trafficking of illegal wildlife products in protected areas.”
The survey covered an area of 122,774 km2.
“The results of this survey are nothing short of staggering, said Peter Fearnhead, CEO of African Parks.
"The astonishing scale of the migration is only equalled by the responsibility to ensure that it survives into the future in an extremely complex landscape."
Main image: Tiang in Boma and Badingilo National Parks, South Sudan. Credit: Marcus Westberg
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