The greatest decline was found in West Africa, where an 85 percent loss was measured between 1970 and 2005 by researchers from the Zoological Society of London and Cambridge University.

The number of animals such as lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards and rhinos has dropped by 50 to 60 percent in East Africa’s national parks, including the famed Serengeti and Masai Mara.

The rate of decline has slowed over time however, said researcher Ian Craigie.

But the populations of some wild animals in southern Africa are actually growing due to better management and greater financial resources to protect wildlife.

But in poorer countries and outside the protection of wildlife refuges, large African mammals continue to disappear.

“Many species like rhino are practically extinct outside national parks,” said Craigie.

Their study is published in the journal Biological Conservation.

Photo: File