By Abdullahi Lukman
New migration maps released on April 30, 2025, have documented in unprecedented detail the seasonal movements of two migratory antelope species – the white-eared kob and tiang – across South Sudan and Ethiopia.
The maps reveal the largest known land mammal migration on Earth, known as the “Great Nile Migration,” covering over 100,000 km², a region seven times larger than Serengeti National Park.
These migrations involve approximately five million kob and 400,000 tiang, alongside other ungulates, traveling across vast distances to access vital wet- and dry-season habitats.
Their journey spans from Badingilo and Boma National Parks in South Sudan, and some kob travel as far North as Ethiopia’s Gambella National Park, a critical refuge during the dry season from February to May.
The new maps are part of the Atlas of Ungulate Migration, developed by the Global Initiative on Ungulate Migration (GIUM) under the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS).
Available publicly online, the maps aim to assist in conservation planning, infrastructure development, and policymaking to preserve vital habitats and reduce human-wildlife conflict.
“The release of these detailed migration maps highlights the importance of protecting ecological corridors across South Sudan and Ethiopia,” said Amy Fraenkel, Executive Secretary of CMS.
“They serve as a powerful reminder of the need to balance development with the survival of migratory species, ensuring healthy ecosystems and minimizing human-wildlife conflicts.”
The maps build upon previous aerial surveys and tracking data, which were released in June 2024 by African Parks and South Sudan’s Ministry of Wildlife Conservation and Tourism.
These surveys estimated 5-7 million migratory animals across four species, offering new insights into the full extent of kob and tiang migrations.
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The updated maps expand upon earlier tracking studies and provide a clearer understanding of the interconnected habitats critical for migration across national boundaries.
“Seeing the full scope of these migrations is both awe-inspiring and daunting,” said Kumara Wakjira, Director General of the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority.
“While the task is challenging, we are committed to ensuring that these landscapes are protected to sustain the migrations of kob and other species in Ethiopia.”
However, the expanding human presence and infrastructure development in the region pose significant challenges to these migrations.
In particular, oil extraction in the “Block B2” area, operated by South Africa’s Strategic Fuel Fund (SFF) and South Sudan’s Nilepet, threatens to disrupt key migration corridors.
Planned oil exploration beginning in 2025 could interfere with migratory routes, increase human encroachment, and exacerbate illegal hunting, as evidenced by the rise in illegal tiang harvesting.
“Humans and wildlife have shared this landscape for centuries, and with thoughtful planning, they can continue to coexist,” said Grant Hopcraft, a member of the GIUM’s scientific advisory team.
“These migration maps provide essential data for balancing the needs of wildlife and human development.”
Conservation efforts in South Sudan are urgently needed, particularly as illegal wildlife trade and the potential impacts of petroleum extraction threaten migratory species.
Both South Sudan and Ethiopia have a unique opportunity to protect this remarkable natural phenomenon while fostering sustainable economic growth through conservation and eco-tourism.
“We are committed to conserving these migrations, not only because they are globally significant but because they are part of our national identity,” said Malik Morjan, professor of wildlife biology at the University of Juba, South Sudan, and a key contributor to the mapping project.
This initiative aligns with broader global efforts to conserve ecological connectivity, such as the Global Partnership on Ecological Connectivity, launched at the 14th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties under CMS.
Protecting migratory species and their habitats supports global commitments like the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
