The Largest Migration on Earth

The migration of 2 million animals across Tanzania and Kenya was often cited as the largest migration of mammals on Earth.  But that title has been eclipsed by the six million antelope that have crossed Southern Sudan from Boma to Badingilo National Parks.  African Parks, an NGO that manages wildlife parks for governments not able or willing to do so on their own used specially outfitted aircraft to make a more accurate count of antelopes making the journey.  The migration dwarfs the "Great Migration" of the Serengeti and the North Slope migration of caribou in Alaska, which is the world's longest migration at 2,000 miles. 

These animals have endured an epic survival through decades of drought and civil war.  In 2007 the count was 1.3 million antelope. But using aerial photography that took pictures every 2 seconds, 330,000 photographs were produced. The aircraft covered 122,774 square kilometers including some areas that had never been previously surveyed. The work was a challenge requiring dedication and aviation skills of a high calibre. Using software at the University of Juba, graduate student were able to calculate the astounding six million figure that amazed astounded wildlife experts. The country's president said that Sudan is committed to developing its wildlife assets into a sustainable tourism industry.

The survey counted 5 million white eared mob, 300,000 ting, 350 Mongalla gazelles, and 160,000 bohor reedbuck making it the largest quadruped migration on Earth by far.  Zambia's ten million-strong fruit bat migration is the largest of any mammal migration. This Great Nile Migration is a year-round movement of animals from the southwest to the northeast passing into Ethiopia and back again.  The movement is probably driven by the availability of good grazing.  The region is also home to numerous people, some of whom live off the land and depend on the migration for sustenance.  Sudan is not safe for tourism at the present time, but efforts can begin to protect this amazing remnant of Earth's superabundant wildlife from destruction by man.