Ethiopian Wolf

Ethiopian Wolf is one of a number of mammal species found only in the Ethiopian highlands above 3,000 metres. The afroalpine habitats in which they live have become increasingly rare as the African continent has warmed over the last 15,000 years. In a habitat a tenth of its original size, Ethiopian Wolves remain in ten isolated pockets, the largest being in the Bale Mountains. Ethiopian Wolf is a critically endangered species.

We saw 7 animals in total including 2 feeding at a carcass along with several vulture species. All sightings were distant and mostly of wolves trying to catch one of their favoured prey, Giant Root Rat Tachyoryctes macrocephalus. Remarkably, one of the wolves walked along the road towards our parked vehicle passing a few metres away from us and allowing the possibility of close up photographs.

Reference: Edited by David MacDonald (2001) The New Encyclopedia of Mammals, Oxford University Press, pages 52-53.