A South Sudanese conservation expert says wildlife in the country is being depleted because cattle raiders and troops on the move rely on poaching.  

The director of South Sudan General Wildlife Service, Major General Philip Chol Majak, told Eye Radio that civilians and the organized forces must protect elephants, gazelles and zebras.

He said poachers will be prosecuted.

“We’ve laws in our hand but our people are neglecting them all this time because people don’t understand what the benefit of wildlife is,” said Mr Chol.

“If we caught anyone red-handed, we’d bring him to the law…..”

Major General Majak said there are not enough resources to combat poaching effectively.

He said we will be ashamed when future generations ask why we failed to protect wild life.

“Our coming generation will not see our wildlife in South Sudan. That is a great shame; they will blame us.”

Leaders from 40 states are gathering in London to discuss the illegal wildlife trade.

The aim is to draw up a global declaration that will tackle animal trafficking.