Mayiel Top Jok: A Life of Service to the Sudd wetland of South Sudan
In April 2019, Mayiel Top Jok joined the Agency for Conservation and Development (ACD) on a mission to ascertain the presence of Nubian giraffes east of Zeraff Game Reserve. A husband and father with primary-level education and limited writing skills, he brought a willingness to learn and a deep commitment to protecting wildlife. That first mission marked the beginning of years of service to conservation and communities across the Sudd Wetland.
Among the 156 Community Wildlife Ambassadors trained for work in Zeraff Game Reserve, Mayiel has stood out for his sustained dedication. Whenever work needed doing, he was there. In 2021, he volunteered to help construct ACD’s compound at Old Fangak and subsequently served as a volunteer security guard. His readiness to take responsibility helped establish ACD’s field presence, and he became the organisation’s first staff member.
Over the years, Mayiel has conducted 56 field missions. These include the 2019 mission to investigate reports of northern white rhinoceros, searches for Nubian giraffes east of Zeraff Game Reserve, and community education on the importance of African elephants in maintaining the Sudd’s biodiversity. His work combines searching for wildlife with helping people understand why its survival matters to their own future.
Mayiel also understands that conservation depends on peace. He has coordinated and facilitated 17 peace dialogue processes involving Shilluk/Chollo communities of Panyikang County, Nuer communities of Ayod and Fangak counties, and Dinka communities of Pigi County. Through engagement with government, opposition representatives and local authorities, he has helped ACD secure approvals and build support for protecting the wetland from destructive fires, excessive poaching and unsustainable resource use, including overfishing.
Despite his own limited formal education, Mayiel has helped train 135 Community Wildlife Ambassadors in Chuilbong, Panyikang and Chuil in the Sobat Corridor. Today, he is leading ACD’s pioneering campaigns along the corridor to protect African elephants, Nubian giraffes, Mongalla gazelles and Nile lechwe. The man who began by joining a wildlife search now helps others take responsibility for conservation in their communities.
Mayiel’s story shows how leadership grows through service. From building a compound and guarding its grounds to supporting peace dialogues and training conservation volunteers, he has repeatedly stepped forward when needed. For ACD and the communities of the Sudd Wetland and Jonglei landscape, he is a selfless advocate whose larger purpose is to protect wildlife, sustain the environment and safeguard lives in South Sudan. He is currently the Head of Community Wildlife Ambassador.