South Sudan

The world’s newest nation, South Sudan was formed in 2011. Having already suffered decades of conflict and unrest, the country descended into civil war shortly after independence. It is now enjoying a period of relative stability under a coalition government formed by the previously warring factions.

Despite the ravages of war, South Sudan is home to vast areas of relatively intact natural habitat – but the wildlife populations are typically low. Our focus is on helping these areas to recover, while mitigating other burgeoning threats.

The country’s ongoing turbulence, lack of basic infrastructure and severe economic hardships expose its landscape to unregulated resource extraction. Effective protected area management, including community engagement and ongoing biodiversity monitoring, are needed to support the future of South Sudan’s biodiversity, and the livelihoods of its people.

Fauna & Flora’s work in South Sudan

Fauna & Flora has been working in what is now South Sudan since our foundation in 1903, when concern for the future of the area’s wildlife provided the catalyst for the founding of our organisation. Since then, we have gained decades of experience in navigating conservation activities in areas of conflict and post-conflict and continue to work with partners in South Sudan to protect the country’s biodiversity.

Our work centres around supporting local communities and the Ministry of Wildlife Conservation and Tourism to improve the sustainable management of natural resources, with a focus on three key protected areas – Southern National Park and Bire Kpatuos and Bangangai Game Reserves –combatting illegal wildlife trade and unsustainable resource extraction, while protecting habitats and the species living within them. Conservation here, and around the world, is most effective when we utilise local expertise, and when activities benefit the people who live there.

Our long-term vision for conservation in South Sudan is to ensure there is a network of functioning protected areas in Western Equatoria State, which will safeguard crucial habitats and the biodiversity they contain while supporting human well-being and creating opportunities for local people.

Thanks to its rich array of habitats, ability to support large, diverse wildlife populations, and contributions to ecosystem services in the region, Southern National Park is a cornerstone of this ambition and—at more than 22,000km²— arguably has the potential to become one of the most significant areas for wildlife conservation in the whole of Africa.