In South Sudan lies a vast and difficult-to-access area covering approximately 18 million hectares. Yet it is this inaccessibility that is also offering exceptional opportunities for wildlife. The Boma–Bandingilo landscape is known for the largest terrestrial mammal migration on Earth, with millions of tiang antelopes, gazelles, and kob migrating through the area each year.
African Parks has recently signed a mandate with the Ministry of Wildlife Conservation and Tourism to manage this important migration ecosystem as a wildlife conservation area. As part of this process, a large number of animals, including lions, have been fitted with GPS collars to monitor their movements. Simultaneously, biological samples have been collected for more in depth research. Through an agreement with the Leo Foundation, materials were provided that allow DNA samples to be collected and stored safely, ensuring their quality for the long term.
With all the lion DNA samples analyzed, we now managed to get high-quality genomes for six of the seven collared lions. These data will be further examined as part of a broader research program that uses genetic information to assess population vulnerability. The results will help us to develop better focused tools for the effective management and conservation of South Sudan’s lion population. Once the results of this research are published, we will share them here.
Lions and the Boma-Badingilo landscape in South Sudan.
© Megan Claase, African Parks
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