A senior official at Nimule National Park in South Sudan’s Eastern Equatoria State has raised concerns over the increasing cases of shootings and smuggling at the park.
James Omondi, the administrator of the Nimule National Park, told Radio Tamazuj on Monday that animals such as elephants are being killed by poachers and their ivories smuggled to the neighboring countries.
“Animals in Nimule are being killed without our notice, smuggling is on the rise and they cross to Uganda. In recent days, poachers and smugglers killed one hippopotamus and an elephant that died in Fulla. There was also another elephant killed in Pageri, which later on died near the wounded heroes’ barracks,” Omondi said.
He added, “There is rampant smuggling of ivory and many other things that are currently happening at Nimule National Park”.
Omondi further pointed out that the unnecessary shootings are due to the presence of about six cattle camps near the national park.
The wildlife official, however, said lack of personnel and vehicles hamper efforts to apprehend illegal poachers.
He urged the population to protect animals for the country’s benefit.
Last week, South Sudan announced plans to establish a joint wildlife management base with neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and 15 other African countries.