According to 2016 reports, there has been a substantial increase in the poaching of Zebras for meat and skins.

By Lodu William

Ministry of Wildlife Service and Tourism yesterday raised concerns over the removal of checkpoints, saying it is obstructing exertions to track and prevent the trafficking of wildlife products.

In a statement made on Wednesday, Gen. Khamis Adiang Diing, Director General of the Ministry, noted that the removal of those checkpoints has led to a rise in the illegal trade of bush meat in Juba.

“Poaching has increased, and wildlife bush meat is becoming widespread,” General Adiang said.

He added that “the dismantling of roadblocks along major highways, including the route from Nimule to Bahr el-Ghazal, began following a directive from the Presidency to implement resolutions from the 8th Governors and Administrators’ Forum.”

Gen. Adiang further stated that the Ministry has alerted the relevant committee about the growing poaching problem and is awaiting a response.

According to 2016 reports, there has been a substantial increase in the poaching of Zebras for meat and skins.

However, the authorities under the leadership of Minister Rizik Hasan Zakaria confiscated about 379 hides from different wild animals at Juba International Airport last year from foreign smugglers who used the airport as a traffic outlet.

Early this year, a report indicated that the National Ministry of Wildlife arrested 10 women in Juba after they were found in possession of 200 kilograms of bush meat smuggled from Jonglei State. Wildlife officers suspected a land cruiser Toyota to be carrying the animal remains.

According to Gen. Adiang, the ban on all the checkpoints has affected the work of the ministry and provided an opportunity for the smuggling of bush meat.

In March 2023, at a mobile court in Nimule town of Eastern Equatoria State, two men were convicted by the high court for killing the elephant at Nimule Park

South Sudan has more than six national parks and more than 13 game reserves providing a home to endangered species, including elephants, cheetahs, ostrich, crocodiles, and pangolins, among others. Some national parks in the country include Boma National Park where most of the poaching has been taking place, Bandignilo National Park, Lantoto National Park, Nimule National Park, and Shambe National Park,

“Poaching has increased, and wildlife bush meat is becoming widespread,” said Gen. Khamis Adiang Diing, Director General in the Ministry of Wildlife Service and Tourism.