National parks in Africa, originally set up to conserve endangered species, are failing to protect wildlife within their boundaries, a study claims.

Researchers say a decline in the number of large mammals, such as antelopes, was a result of increased pressures on the reserves’ ecology. They said the parks faced an uncertain future as a greater number of people increased the demand for resources.

The main cause behind the animals’ decline was human activity – many parks are subject to the ravaging impact of illegal hunters.

[Read](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6972416.stm “Read the Story”) (BBC)