The Ethiopian Wolf
The Ethiopian wolf, also known as the Abyssinian Wolf or Simien
Jackal, is believed by some scientists not to be a true wolf.
However, DNA studies show it to be more closely related to
gray wolves
and coyotes than to any other African canines. It is the most
endangered canine species in Africa, and, among wolves, its rarity
is second only to the red wolf.
It inhabits only a few mountain pockets of the Ethiopian highlands.
There is believed to be fewer than 450 alive in the wild. The
largest concentration of Ethiopian wolves exist in the Bale
Mountains National Park. The people living in the Bale Mountains own
on average 2 dogs per household in order to protect their livestock.
Although the wolves' habitat has constantly dwindled as a result of
human encroachment, its greatest threat of extinction is a
recurring epidemic of rabies which is transmitted from domestic dogs
with whom the wolves compete for food.
The Ethiopian wolf has long legs and a long muzzle, resembling the
coyote in both shape and size. It has a distinctive reddish coat
with a white throat, chest, and underparts, broad pointed ears, and
a thick bushy black tail with a white base. It ranges in size from
43 to 55 inches (tip of nose to end of tail) and weighs from 24 to
42 pounds.
By nature, the Ethiopian wolf hunts by day, but it is found to
sometimes be nocturnal in areas where it is persecuted. Though they
live in packs which share and defend their territories, they almost
always hunt alone. Rodents make up over 90% of their diet, but they
occasionally feed on small antelopes, hares, and hyraxes.
Breeding season usually occurs between August and November. During
breeding season and pregnancy, the female's coat turns a pale
yellowish color and her tail turns brownish and loses hair. The
dominant female of the pack gives birth to a litter of 2 to 7 pups
between October and January. Full maturity is reached at 2 years.
The only real predators other than humans are spotted hyenas and
tawny eagles that occasionally prey on unattended pups. Life span in
the wild is about 8 to 10 years.
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