Population status, Distribution and Threats to the Nile lechwe (Kobus megaceros, M.T.Von Heuglin,1853) in the Sudd Wetland, South Sudan (2012)

The study was conducted between January and March 2010, within an area covering about 70,456 km2 of the Sudd Wetland in South Sudan, the distribution, population status and threats to the Nile lechwe were examined. Using systematic flight and questionnaires, results showed that Nile lechwes were distributed at the periphery of the Sudd Wetland.57.6 % of the population occurred outside protected areas, while 42.4% were observed inside Zeraf Game Reserve. The population was estimated to be 11,043 ( 7,839), there appears to be a significant decline between 1980 and 2010 Nile lechwe’s population estimates (χ2 = 33.7; Df =1; P = 0.00) and there was no significant difference between 2007 and 2010 population estimate on the lower side (χ2 =2.585; Df=1; P =0.108). A significant correlation was also observed between the Nile lechwe’s distribution and human activity signs (r2= 0.688 (69%); P=0.00). The civil war was perceived as the greatest threat to the Nile lechwe followed by firearms used during hunting. Among other perceieved threats were hunting, wildfire, increase in livestock densities, agricultural expansion, floods, diseases, Jonglei canal reconstruction, drought, oil exploration and dykes. Over 38.9% of the population were aware of the existence of a game reserve, 53.3% knew the existence of Wildlife laws and 65.6% had cultural values associated with the Nile lechwe, these were seen as indirect threats to the Nile lechwe and its habitat. If these activities continues uncontrolled, the future of Nile lechwe will be in jeopardy. To conserve the Nile lechwe an integrated management strategy addressing the threats would be need.