Roan antelope  (Hippotragus equinus)

During the last century, roan antelope have seen a substantial reduction in both numbers and range. In some areas, such as Mauritania, Niger, Uganda, and Kenya, it is close to extinction (2), while in other parts this species has been entirely eliminated, largely as the result of illegal hunting and the destruction of its habitat (6). Generally, it is outside of protected areas that the survival of the roan antelope is most threatened by hunting and habitat destruction (6). However, not all national parks are a guaranteed refuge for this species, as roan antelope numbers fell in Kruger National Park after a decline in rainfall made conditions less favourable for the tall grasses on which roan feed. An influx of zebra and wildebeest, benefiting from the shorter grass conditions, also led to an increase in lion numbers, and consequently resulted in increased predation on adult roan antelope (7).

Roan antelope occur within many national parks (6), including Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, a Natural World Heritage Site (8). It is the continued protection of these conservation areas on which this striking antelope's survival relies (6).