The seasonal movements of two migratory antelope species across vast wetlands in South Sudan and Ethiopia’s Gambella National Park are mapped to unprecedented details to better protect them.
The seasonal movements of two migratory antelope species across vast wetlands in South Sudan and Ethiopia’s Gambella National Park are mapped to unprecedented details to better protect them.
Covering an area of over 100,000 km², about seven times the area of Serengeti National Park, these maps reveal the largest known terrestrial mammal movement on the planet, and are also known as the Great Nile River migration.
According to the Immigration Convention (CMS), alongside around 5 million KOBs and 400,000 tians, along with other hoofed mammals, also known as ungulates, they travel long distances to access complex, long distance travelers each year.
Their route takes them between Badingilo and Boma National Parks in South Sudan. It moved further northwards and is a shelter during the dry season, particularly for KOBs, from February to May.
The Migratory Bird Treaty said the newly released migratory map formed part of the Ungulate Migration Atlas, developed by a global initiative on hair loss under the Convention on the Conservation of Wildlife Migratory Bird Species.
“The ATLAS and new maps, published online, are intended to support conservation planning, infrastructure development, and policy decisions to maintain critical ecological connectivity.
“The detailed travel map highlights the interconnectivity of the landscapes of South Sudan and Ethiopia, and the urgent need to balance infrastructure development with the survival of migrant species.”
The map is built on recent aerial surveys and tracking data released last June by the Ministry of Parks in Africa and the Wildlife Conservation and Tourism in South Sudan.
During these studies, biologists estimated 5-7 million mobile animals of four species – white-eared cobs, tians, mongara gazelles and bohol leadbacks.
For KOB, the map significantly expands previous follow-up research conducted by the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Agency between 2013 and 2015, providing new insights into how migration connects important habitats across international boundaries, CMS said.
Kumara Waghla, director of Ethiopia’s Wildlife Conservation Agency, said seeing the full scope of these migrations is not only audacity, but daunting. “It’s challenging, but we are committed to ensuring that these landscapes remain protected in order to keep the movement of Ethiopian KOBs and other migratory birds in the future.”
Currently, Kob and Tiang’s travel routes, which are clearly mapped between seasonal ranges, highlight the essential corridors needed to survive in extreme seasonal conditions.
The CMS said as human populations and infrastructure grow, these detailed maps provide important information to mitigate the impact of large-scale projects, particularly energy infrastructure.
“Oil extraction raises pressing concerns covering areas important for both KOB and Tian migration, particularly within the development area known as Block B2, run by the South African Strategic Fuel Fund and the elmpet in South Sudan.
“Without a careful and informed plan, oil exploration scheduled to begin in 2025 could seriously disrupt wildlife migration, increase human invasion and escalate illegal hunting,” CMS said. “The rising incidence of illegal Tian harvests along the roads already shows just how essential it is to plan infrastructure with wildlife conservation in mind.”
Humans and wildlife have shared this landscape since ancient times, and even amidst the renewed pressure, they can continue to do so, said Grant Hopcraft, a member of the Scientific Advisory Team for the Global Initiative on Integrated Transition, which led migration analysis and mapping.
“When used, these migration maps based on the best science available are key tools to ensure that both wildlife and human needs are balanced.”
In South Sudan, conservation based on healthy management and collaboration with the local community is urgently needed. The CMS said the rise in illegal wildlife trade and the potential impact of oil extraction highlights the importance of protecting migratory bird wildlife in the region.
“South Sudan and Ethiopia have unique opportunities to maintain one of the world’s most prominent natural phenomena for future generations, and have the potential to utilize conservation and tourism for sustainable economic growth.
Malik Morjan, professor of wildlife biology at the University of South Sudan and a key contributor to map data, said:
CMS added that saving migrant species and “ensure that epic wildlife movements continue in the future” would directly support the achievement of key global commitments such as the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
