South Sudan’s Boma-Badingilo wetlands become UNESCO World Heritage site protecting millions of antelopes
The Boma and Badingilo national parks and surrounding wetlands in South Sudan were added to the UNESCO World Heritage list, highlighting their role as a refuge for an estimated six million antelopes and numerous migratory birds.
UNESCO officially listed the Boma and Badingilo national parks and their surrounding wetlands in South Sudan as a World Heritage Site in July, marking the country’s first such designation. The protected area, roughly the size of North Korea, contains an interconnected network of floodplains, woodlands and grasslands that host about six million antelopes, including white-eared kob and Mongalla gazelle. Every April, huge flocks of storks and other migratory birds fill the sky, while the rainy season fuels abundant insect and mollusk populations that feed openbills and shoebills.
Conservation manager Megan Claase of African Parks highlighted the region’s importance for migratory species, and researchers note that the site serves as a critical staging area for birds traveling between southern and northern Africa. The World Heritage status aims to boost international awareness and channel investment into safeguarding this biodiversity hotspot.
Why it matters
The designation brings global attention and potential resources to protect a key African ecosystem and its wildlife.
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