THE EFFECTIVENESS OF WILDLIFE LAW ENFORCEMENT IN AND AROUND BADINGILO NATIONAL PARK, SOUTH SUDAN

Abstract

Wildlife Law Enforcement plays a vital role in the conservation of biological diversity by ensuring that species are protected. However, South Sudan does not have elaborate and comprehensive wildlife policies and laws to assist in the enforcement of existing laws. Despite the existence of the Wildlife Act, the country has witnessed an escalation in crime targeting biological resources that has led to the decline or extinction of some species. These activities have usually gone on covertly such that many wildlife violations go undetected, unreported, and not prosecuted in any court of law. This study was conducted in Badingilo National Park in South Sudan, between January and April 2012. The main objective of the study was to assess the challenges of wildlife law enforcement and their effects on wildlife conservation in Badingilo National Park. The specific objectives of the study sought to; identify the challenges facing wildlife law enforcement; determine the causes and effects of the challenges faced in enforcing wildlife laws; and to determine the anti–poaching measures to mitigate effects of challenges of wildlife law enforcement in Badingilo National Park. Data was collected using questionnaires, visual observations, focus group discussions, informal talks and key informant interviews. Data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS), and results are presented using tables. Chi-Square test was used to test the hypotheses. Results indicated that poaching, poverty, negative attitude towards conservation, lack of alternative livelihood resources and increase in human population are the major factors contributing to illegal activities in the park. The major challenges faced by the officers when enforcing wildlife laws include inadequate number of vehicles and equipments, inadequate staff and political interference. The study concluded that many factors have made the enforcement of wildlife laws difficult although the most conspicuous ones are the effects of poverty, negative attitude towards conservation, lack of alternative resources and increase in population. These effects not only increased the level of poaching, but also halted significantly major management activities in the park. There is neither a wildlife education programme for the area nor any communication programmes and relevant facilities which have been set up. There is also change in habitat due to increased dependence of the community on the park, particularly the cutting of grass and timber. Thus there is need to develop comprehensive natural resources conservation programs and strategies that take into consideration views of the community as well as other important stakeholders, for example, community participation in conservation of wildlife resources.