Wildlife authorities in Jonglei State have arrested 5 poachers in an ongoing campaign to check the widespread vice by locals.
Maj. Gen. Joseph Duop Deng, the state wildlife director, told Radio Tamazuj over the weekend that the campaign which commenced on 7 April with wildlife wardens carrying out patrols has seen five suspected poachers netted so far.
“On 8 April, our forces captured four poachers on the outskirts of Bor. We also impounded 15 motorcycles used for transporting bush meat from 41 animals like Tiang and antelope,” he said. “On 9 April, poachers attacked our officers on the Gadiang road killing one of our officers and injuring another. A suspect was also arrested during that incident.”
The wildlife director said the detained suspects are being investigated and that they will be arraigned before the court this week.
Gen. Duop condemned poaching and attacks on wildlife officers, saying wildlife is a natural resource.
“Those involved in poaching are members of the organized forces and we call on them to stop the practice. Wildlife in Jonglei is a national resource and the pride of our country,” he said. “So, we call upon everyone to join us in the ongoing campaign. Those found poaching will be punished.”
Jonglei is home to several wildlife species and home to the world’s second-largest wildlife migration.
Gen. Duop said the anti-poaching campaign will continue despite attacks on his officers.
South Sudan’s successive wars, the subsequent breakdown of authority, and the absence of rule of law and order have made poaching thrive. The resurgence of violence in 2016 in particular saw a sharp increase in poaching related to ivory. 15 elephants were killed in Boma National Park in January of 2016 and 17 were killed in a single incident in Warrap State in February of 2016.
In the same year, there was evidence of increased poaching in Lantoto National Park where the carcasses of 10 elephants were discovered and there was a substantial increase in the poaching of giraffes and zebras for meat and hides.
In January 2018, this publication ran a story regarding the arrest of 7 poachers found with huge chunks of dried bush meat being transported on a pickup truck and motorcycles. Two 2 of the arrested poachers were police officers and one of them said he killed wild animals to feed his family.
Wildlife officials have always lamented the fact that poachers are more heavily armed and outgun wardens.