Wildlife Conservation organization Enjojo Foundation called on communities in Ibba County to stop poaching and embrace wildlife conservation

By Emmanuel Mandella

Wildlife Conservation organization Enjojo Foundation has call on communities in Ibba County, Western Equatoria State, to stop poaching and embrace wildlife conservation, presenting it not only as a moral responsibility but a lucrative alternative that could spur the growth of local economy.

Speaking during a two-day Training of Trainers (TOT) workshop in Ibba County, where some 17 community members, traditional leaders, and local authorities gathered, Aggray Cyrus Kanyikwa, Governance Manager at Enjojo Foundation and former Commissioner of Yei River County, highlighted the immense potential of wildlife-based tourism.

“Just taking a camera alone is $150. This money goes to the local government, to the communities. Imagine if 1,000 people come in a day just to take a photo of a single elephant or chimpanzee, that’s $15,000 a day. Isn’t that enough to build a modern hospital or beautiful schools in Ibba?” Mr. Kanyikwa questioned.

He urged locals to rethink the short-term economic gain of killing wildlife for meat or tusks, and instead, preserve them to generate steady income. “You just decide to kill this elephant or buffalo for only $300, but if a buffalo lives for 15 years, how much money could it have brought to Ibba County in tourism?” he lamented.

Kanyikwa said poaching is destroying biodiversity and robbing the country its rightful revenues.

“Lions are no longer there. What about our children? Will they know what a lion is? If we conserve them now, our children will benefit. This is not just an environmental issue, it’s an economic one, and a generational one.”

He also warned against logging, blaming it for destroying animal habitats and pushing wildlife to neighboring countries like Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. “We are now becoming economic beggars while we chase away the very resources that could lift us,” Kanyikwa stated.

Speaking to The City Review on behalf of the local government, Ibba County Commissioner Wilson Tetela, welcomed the initiative and described it as a “timely awakening” for the people of Western Equatoria.

“We’ve always had the resources, but lacked the guidance and vision. Now, with the Enjojo Foundation and the national ministry stepping in, we are ready to move from destroying to preserving,” Commissioner Tetela said.

“We’re calling on our communities in Ibba, Maridi, and Mundri West to embrace conservation not just for the animals, but for our children’s future.”

Prince Maulona Sako, the Paramount Chief of Ibba County, echoed the sentiments. “As traditional leaders, we are ready to support and lead our communities in this green journey. Our culture respects nature. We just need to reconnect with that heritage and realize its economic value.”

Kanyikwa emphasized that conservation efforts should not be viewed as solely the responsibility of government or NGOs.

“Enjojo is not here to take over. We are here to facilitate the communities and the Ministry of Wildlife to work hand-in-hand. Conservation must come from the people, not be imposed upon them.”

He concluded by introducing the idea of a “green economy” as a viable replacement for illegal activities like poaching and logging. “If we engage in community development tied to conservation eco-lodges, tourism, guiding services, craft-making we empower people and protect nature.”

The workshop participants are expected to act as change agents within their communities, spreading the message that wildlife and forests are worth more alive than dead.

“This is our turning point,” said Kanyikwa. “It’s time to protect what God gave us, and use it wisely to feed our families not destroy it for one meal.”