'Camera trap surveys play a fundamental role in biodiversity conservation,' says FFI's Adrian Garside. Finding them in South Sudan expands their known range-something that urgently needs further study because forest elephants, like their savannah cousins, are facing intense poaching pressure.'įorest elephants are ecologically and behaviourally quite distinct from savannah elephants and play an important role in forest ecosystems by dispersing seeds across a wide area, thanks to their frugivorous diet.Ĭhimpanzee, leopard, four species of mongoose, spotted hyena, yellow-backed duiker, honey badger, monitor lizard and a healthy population of western bongo are just a few among 37 species caught on camera during the survey, proving the ecological importance of these West Equatorian forests. 'Forest elephants are Critically Endangered, and have declined dramatically over the last two decades. 'This is an extremely important finding,' explains DeeAnn Reeder, Professor of Biology at Bucknell University. Over six months, the camera traps captured more than 20,000 wildlife images, including the first pictures of forest elephants (Loxodonta cyclotis) ever taken in South Sudan. Fish and Wildlife Service's Great Ape Conservation Fund, with additional funding from the Woodtiger Fund, Bucknell University and FFI.

The camera trapping survey was made possible thanks to a grant from the U.S. The cameras were deployed as part of ongoing surveys under a partnership between conservation charity Fauna & Flora International (FFI), Bucknell University, and South Sudan's Wildlife Service to survey the wildlife of Western Equatoria State-an area that encompasses some 8,000 km2 of relatively unexplored terrain thought to be of high ecological importance.

Remote sensing cameras (' camera traps') have given scientists an unprecedented insight into the wildlife of South Sudan-a battle-scarred nation still grappling with civil conflict following its declaration of independence four years ago.

Glimpses sudans forgotten