17 elephants were killed in a wildlife corridor between South Sudan’s Unity state and the Bahr al Ghazal region, according to a top wildlife official.

Major-General James Gatjiath, Unity State's wildlife service director-general, said the massacre by poachers follows the killing of 15 elephants reported earlier this year.

He said the government has not yet arrested the poachers.

“Several months ago about 15 elephants were killed, and recently many of them were killed, about 17 elephants have been killed in a swampy area between our border with Bahr al Ghazal” said Gatjiath.

“Many animals like buffalo and other animals are being killed every day, the 15 and 17 that I have mentioned are elephants only,” he added.

He blamed “proliferation of arms” for the crime, saying the criminals were aiming to profit from the sale of the elephants' tusks.

The top officer complained about a lack of wildlife personnel in the area to protect animals. Gatjiath appealed to citizens not to kill animals, saying South Sudan can benefit from its wildlife resources especially in tourism.

Photo credit: Wildlife Conservation Society

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