Wildlife authorities in South Sudan said they plan to join the Horn of Africa Regional Environmental Centre and network to enhance protection of wildlife in the country.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Thursday, South Sudan’s wildlife ministry spokesperson said the government is planning to enact laws that will prevent poaching and smuggling of wildlife within the region.

Khamis Adiang Deng further said as a first step, South Sudan has already joined the international UK-based Animal Protection Initiative.

“We are planning to join the Horn of Africa Wildlife Network and this will enable us to exchange information and to prevent the random poaching of wildlife,” Adiang.

“Joining these charters will help us enact some laws on how to protect our wildlife. We have already burnt a number of elephant tusks here in Juba and we will ensure that poaching will not happen again,” he added.

South Sudan has about five national parks including, Bandingilo, Boma, Nimule, Southern and Shambe. These parks are home to the large herds of elephants, giraffes, lions and many others.