Africa: National parks hit by mammal declines

British scientist from the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and Cambridge University found out that African National Parks have seen populations of large mammals decline by up to 59% between 1970 and 2005. According to a study published in Biological Conservation the scientist created an index of change in population abundance for a multitude of species in 78 protected areas throughout Africa. The results of the study vary from region to region. Populations are increasing in southern Africa, declining by more than half in East Africa and 85% declines in West Africa. Despite the severe losses, the rate of decline has slowed over time, indicating that management of the National Parks has been gradually improving.