South Sudan Graduates 50 Rangers to Protect Newly UNESCO-Listed Migratory Landscape
South Sudan has graduated 50 newly trained wildlife rangers at Badingilo National Park, strengthening conservation efforts across one of Africa's most significant wildlife landscapes. The rangers completed two months of training covering tactical skills, weapons handling, law enforcement, discipline and operational readiness, and were formally sworn in under South Sudanese law and the National Wildlife Act. The graduation comes weeks after the Boma-Badingilo Migratory Landscape was designated South Sudan's first UNESCO World Heritage Site - a recognition that raises the international profile of an area that hosts one of Africa's largest wildlife migrations, with millions of antelope moving across its grasslands and wetlands.
Officials at the ceremony highlighted the growing threat of commercial bushmeat hunting and wildlife trafficking as key challenges facing the landscape. "Some will talk about bushmeat in the market. They are killed in thousands - not for their subsistence use, but for commercial," said Khamise Adiang, Director General of South Sudan's wildlife service, warning that unchecked hunting could deplete wildlife populations entirely. Adiang and Badingilo Park Manager John Vogel of African Parks both stressed the importance of community involvement in conservation, with Adiang noting that local people must see tangible benefits - including through tourism development - if conservation efforts are to be sustained. The 50 rangers were selected from both park headquarters and surrounding communities and trained by local and international instructors.
Source: Radio Tamazuj
