LEEK DANIEL
Africa-Press – South-Sudan. South Sudan is blessed with rich wildlife. From vast grasslands to river systems, our country is home to some of Africa’s most important animal populations. Wildlife is not only part of our natural beauty, but also part of our identity, culture, and future economic potential.
But today, a serious question stands before us: How do we balance hunting with conservation?
Hunting has long been part of local tradition and survival. Many families depend on bushmeat for food. However, unregulated and commercial hunting is now a growing threat. If we fail to act, we risk losing species that may never return.
The danger of overhunting is that when too many animals are killed, populations decline rapidly. Some species reproduce slowly and cannot recover once heavily hunted. Over time, forests and grasslands may look green and healthy, but without animals inside them. These become “empty forests” ecosystems that have lost their wildlife.
This is not just an environmental issue. It is an economic and moral issue. Once wildlife disappears, tourism opportunities vanish. Ecosystems weaken. Future generations lose what should have been their inheritance.
South Sudan must therefore introduce strong, clear, and enforceable regulations that go beyond words on paper and are properly implemented across the country:
Establish strict hunting seasons and science-based quotas: Hunting should be permitted only during specific periods that do not overlap with breeding or migration seasons. Reliable wildlife population data must guide quotas to ensure that the number of animals hunted does not exceed what nature can replace. Regular wildlife surveys should be conducted to adjust these limits.
Impose a total ban on hunting the endangered and vulnerable species: Rare animals, the threatened, or the declining species must receive full legal protection. Clear lists of protected species should be published and widely communicated to communities, security forces, and local authorities, with serious penalties for violations.
Strengthen protection and management of national parks and wildlife reserves: Protected areas must be properly staffed, funded, and monitored. Rangers should receive adequate training, equipment, and support to prevent poaching and illegal grazing. Wildlife corridors connecting parks should also be safeguarded to allow animal movement and long-term survival.
Take firm action against illegal commercial wildlife trade: Authorities must dismantle networks involved in trafficking bushmeat and wildlife products. This includes improving border controls, strengthening law enforcement coordination, and prosecuting offenders. Strong penalties should target not only hunters but also traders, middlemen, and financiers who profit from illegal exploitation.
Clear laws, strong enforcement, and political commitment are essential if these measures are to protect South Sudan’s wildlife for the long term.
Hunting should not be cruel. If hunting is allowed for subsistence, it must be humane. Cruel and indiscriminate methods should be banned. Wildlife should not be treated merely as a source of quick money. Animals have value beyond the market; they are part of the balance of nature.
Commercial exploitation, especially when poorly regulated, often leads to suffering and rapid depletion of wildlife. This must be strictly controlled or prohibited.
Communities must be part of the solution. Conservation will fail if it ignores local people’s needs. Many communities rely on wildlife for food and income. If regulations are imposed without alternatives, illegal hunting will increase.
Government and partners should:
Invest in alternative livelihoods such as agriculture, livestock, fisheries, and eco-tourism.
Involve communities in wildlife management and decision-making.
Provide education about the long-term benefits of conservation.
Ensure that conservation efforts create local jobs and income.
When communities benefit from protecting wildlife, they become its strongest defenders.
Therefore, South Sudan cannot afford to delay action. Every year of weak regulation and uncontrolled hunting brings us closer to losing species that define our natural heritage. Once gone, they will not return.
Balancing hunting and conservation is not about choosing between people and animals — it is about protecting both. With clear laws, strong enforcement, community involvement, humane practices, and a long-term national vision, South Sudan can safeguard its wildlife while still respecting livelihoods.
The decisions we make today will determine whether future generations inherit a land rich in wildlife or only stories of what once existed. Protecting our wildlife is not just an environmental duty; it is a national responsibility. The time to act is now.
Source: Radio Tamazuj
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