BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL STAFF A thorough aerial study in South Sudan revealed a startling migration of six million antelope, establishing it as the world’s greatest land mammal migration. This journey is more than double the size of the well-known annual ‘great migration‘ between Tanzania and Kenya, involving around two million wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles. “The migration in South Sudan blows any other migration we know of out the water,” remarked David Simpson, park manager for Boma and Badingilo national parks with African Parks. “The estimates indicate the vast herds of antelope species are almost three times larger than East Africa’s great migration. The scale is truly awe-inspiring.” Endurance during conflict Despite decades of civil violence and upheaval in South Sudan, the region’s wildlife has somehow survived. According to a 2007 Wildlife Conservation Society assessment, the migration totaled approximately 1.3 million animals. However, African Parks, which manages Boma and Badingilo national parks on behalf of the government, has provided a more precise count with upgraded equipment and a larger survey area. The survey used two planes fitted with cameras designed to record photographs every two seconds, resulting in 330,000 photos that were later examined by University of Juba grads using specialist software. “Seeing these animals here at such scale is something I could have never fathomed still existed on the planet,” said Mike Fay, African Parks’ landscape coordinator for Boma and Badingilo. “From the air, it felt like I was watching what Earth might have been like millennia ago when nature and humans still existed together in balance.” Survey methodology and findings From April 28 to May 15, 2023, pilots and observers flew over an area of 122,774 square kilometers, roughly the size of Greece, spanning the full known range of antelope species in the Boma-Badingilo Jonglei region. They even conducted surveys in hitherto undiscovered locations. Aside from antelope, the survey included lions, giraffes, buffalo, and elephants. “The most difficult challenge is setting up the aerial survey equipment on the planes, so the field of view is correct and the calibration is precise and accurate,” Fay explains. “It’s extremely dangerous flying low-level with big birds, like vultures, in the air around the plane, and it’s intense flying for four hours and counting continuously every day for weeks.” The survey predicted five million white-eared kob, little under 300,000 tiang, 350,000 Mongalla gazelle, and 160,000 bohor reedbuck, for a total of about six million antelope. Fay underlined that these findings prove “this great Nile migration of antelope is the largest on Earth, according to our data, dwarfing any other known land mammal migration on the planet.” The year-round voyage The great Nile migration travels year-round from the southwest to the northeast, passing via Ethiopia’s Gambella and back. This movement is most likely motivated by the availability of suitable grazing conditions. As part of the study, 126 animals from 12 different species were collared to determine how far they went. Eleven collared white-eared kobs, the most prevalent antelope in the area, were traced for almost 2,000 kilometers each. While South Sudan’s migration is not the longest land animal migration (the caribou migration in Alaska covers 3,200 kilometers), it is comparable to the great migratory between Tanzania and Kenya, which is noted for the dramatic Mara River crossing. Although South Sudan has the largest large mammal migration, it pales in contrast to Zambia’s yearly bat migration, which involves 10 million straw-colored fruit bats flying from West Africa to Kasanka National Park. Conservation and ecotourism potential Simpson praised the study’s findings as a “game-changer for conservation efforts in South Sudan,” predicting that they might become “one of the greatest conservation opportunities on the planet.” Despite existing safety worries for international tourists, Simpson sees enormous tourism potential. “Having the world’s largest land mammal migration could put South Sudan on the map as a must-visit ecotourism destination. But the migration’s current critical value is food security for local communities,” he noted. Challenges and opportunities for the future The Boma-Badingilo Jonglei environment is home to many people who rely on the land. The survey revealed not only the extent of wildlife but also challenges to migratory species and the human groups who rely on them. Simpson warned of “the expansion of roads, agriculture, charcoal production, commercialization,” which can lead to habitat loss, resource depletion, and disruption of migration routes, ultimately threatening the survival of the migration and the livelihoods of local people. “By ensuring the health of the ecosystems the migration depends on, the livelihoods of people across the migration landscape can be secured,” he concluded.The post Migration of 6 million antelope in South Sudan is the largest land mammal movement on Earth first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL STAFF Whether you’re an experienced meditator or just starting out on your self-care path, including sound baths into your regimen could be the ideal method to relax and decrease anxiety. This ancient discipline, which makes use of sound waves from instruments such as gongs and bowls, provides a distinct and powerful method of meditation. The essence of a sound bath A sound bath is essentially a meditation session in which participants are immersed in ambient noises created by sound therapists. Unlike guided meditations, which use spoken words to direct your attention, sound baths employ the vibrations of various instruments to transport you to a deep, contemplative state. According to Brooklyn-based sound therapist Sara Auster, “If meditation is taking the stairs, a sound bath is taking the elevator.” According to Auster, sound baths can induce relaxation and meditative states in a single session, whereas other meditation techniques may require weeks or months of practice to get comparable results.  Trying out a sound bath During the session, participants usually sit on comfy cushions or lie down on yoga mats. Closing one’s eyes is recommended to separate from extraneous distractions and focus on the sounds. Alexandra Janelli, the founder of Modrn Sanctuary in Philadelphia, states, “By closing their eyes, clients can disconnect from the world around them and tune into the sounds that will begin to surround them.” Instruments like bowls, gongs, bells, rainsticks, and tuning fork chimes generate vibrations that the brain and ears detect, guiding meditation. This sensory immersion allows individuals to feel completely present in the moment. Benefits of sound baths Meditation is well known for its stress-relieving properties, but sound baths go a step further. Auster points out that music has been demonstrated to alleviate pain, promote neuronal connection, and improve quality of life. According to a 2016 study conducted by integrative health research psychologist Tamara Goldsby, those who participated in singing-bowl meditations experienced less pain, anxiety, tension, rage, and melancholy. Dr. Dave Rabin, a board-certified psychiatrist and neuroscientist, describes how music and sound affect our physiology by altering the rhythms of our internal systems. “Sound impacts us in these rhythmic ways very, very quickly, usually without us noticing. It changes our heart rate, blood pressure, and other physiological responses,” he says. Because of this natural response to sound, sound meditation is a good beginning point for novices and a welcome shift for those who have been practicing meditation for a while. Dr. Rabin believes that sound waves give relaxing stimulation, allowing the body to quickly reach a deep meditative state. The ancient roots of sound healing Though many people perceive sound baths to be a recent trend, the use of sound for healing dates back to ancient times. From Tibetan singing bowls to Aboriginal didgeridoos, civilizations all around the world have used music for medicinal purposes for thousands of years. The ancient Greeks used sound vibration for a variety of health purposes, including mental health therapy and sleep induction. Aristotle even thought flute music might purify the soul. These techniques have been verified by research dating back to the late nineteenth century, which shows that music helps lower blood pressure and pulse rate, and assists the parasympathetic nervous system, all of which alter digestion and metabolic processes. Instruments and techniques for sound baths Sound baths often use repeating tones at various frequencies to assist shift attention away from ideas. “I always call [the instruments] a doorway into the present moment,” says Vinny Colandrea, a sound practitioner at My Zen Den in Beacon, NY. These healing sounds are created using instruments such as crystal bowls, gemstone bowls, cymbals, gongs, and bells. Each frequency has a distinct healing potential, and when combined, they can create binaural beats, an auditory illusion that assists the brain in entering meditative states. According to Dr. Rabin, binaural beats impact numerous areas of the brain, including sensory processing, emotion, and cognition. What to expect during a sound bath session Each sound bath instructor has their own distinct style. Colandrea enjoys creating a “push and pull” using instrument sounds, beginning with calming tones and progressing to more tension-inducing sounds. “I try to create a journey through themes,” he explains.  Participants may use bowls composed of specific stones and jewels, which are thought to have distinct therapeutic effects. For example, tourmaline crystal is said to absorb negative energy while emitting positive energy. The experience changes from session to session, and people may respond differently each time. “It’s a process. Things can happen slowly at first and then all at once,” says Janelli.  Are sound baths right for you? Sound baths can be a fantastic complement to your self-care practice, particularly if typical meditation methods haven’t worked for you. “When you practice mindfulness, you are practicing the art of creating space for yourself—space to think, space to breathe, space between yourself and your reactions,” Auster explains. However, due to their high cost, sound baths may not be accessible to everybody. Group sessions typically cost between $30 and $65, and private sessions might be more expensive. If you can locate a class that matches your budget and needs, sound baths can be an effective stress reliever and relaxant. Exploring sound baths may lead to a stronger connection between your mind and body. This old method, strengthened by modern science, provides a distinct way to relax and manage stress. Whether you’re new to meditation or searching for a different method, sound baths could be an excellent complement to your wellness routine.The post What are sound baths? How ancient practices can transform your modern life first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

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