South Sudan’s first Unesco site protects migration of nearly 6 million antelopes
South Sudan's Boma and Badingilo national parks have been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This region supports a massive migration of 6 million antelopes and serves as a critical habitat for various migratory bird species.
Why it matters
International recognition and protection of this ecosystem are vital for preserving one of the world's largest intact savanna systems and its unique biodiversity.
One of the most biodiverse regions in South Sudan is the Boma and Badingilo national parks. While they are best known for the massive herds of antelope that migrate across them annually, they are also home to key habitats for birds such as shoebills and others that migrate between southern and northern parts of Africa. In July, the parks and surrounding areas were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and now conservationists are hoping the first-ever designation will be able to conserve the region's biodiversity.An avian spectacleEvery year in April, a remarkable avian spectacle transforms South Sudan.
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