Populations of large wild mammals exist in one national park and several reserves and protected forest areas in Mali. In addition some wildlife survives in areas, in the south where onchocerciasis and trypanosomiasis, and in the north lack of available water, prevent human settlement. The area of present-day Mali has been populated by a succession of relatively advanced African states during the past 1500 years, who have influenced the vegetation and wildlife. An account of the present status of large