(BOMA COUNTY, BOMA NATIONAL PARK) – The South Sudan Wildlife Service recently held a high level meeting in Pibor with Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) government officials and traditional leaders to strengthen wildlife conservation. The gathering, supported by African Parks, aimed to reinforce customary laws regulating hunting and wildlife protection.
Officials, including ministers, county commissioners, Paramount Chiefs, and Red Chiefs, reached agreements on protected species, sustainable hunting practices, and community led sanctions. The collaborative approach seeks to bridge gaps between national legislation and traditional systems, ensuring effective conservation at local, county, state, and national levels.
The Boma National Park team has been actively engaging communities in previous outreach efforts. This recent meeting builds on that engagement, signalling a stronger commitment to locally driven conservation initiatives. African Parks noted that integrating tradition with modern conservation strategies is key to safeguarding South Sudan’s wildlife for future generations.
“By combining customary laws with national policies, we can protect our wildlife while respecting local traditions,” said a spokesperson for the South Sudan Wildlife Service.
The initiative focuses on securing habitats for iconic species and promoting sustainable hunting practices, with community involvement central to enforcement and monitoring. African Parks, the Park Manager said such locally driven conservation strategies can improve compliance, increase public awareness, and support the long term protection of biodiversity across South Sudan.
Boma National Park Strengthens Community Role
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Location | Boma National Park, Greater Pibor Administrative Area, South Sudan |
| Date | December 2025 |
| Organisers | South Sudan Wildlife Service with African Parks support |
| Participants | Ministers, Commissioners, Paramount Chiefs, Red Chiefs |
| Purpose | Strengthen customary laws for wildlife protection and sustainable hunting |
| Key Outcomes | Agreement on protected species, sustainable hunting practices, community-led sanctions |
| Significance | Bridges national laws and traditional systems; promotes locally driven conservation |
| Target Species & Areas | Iconic wildlife of Boma National Park and surrounding areas |
| Community Role | Enforcement, monitoring, awareness campaigns, and sanctions for violations |