The only wolf living in Africa and enlisted as endangered. He is also called the Simian jackal or Simian fox, because they are smaller and lighter in structure than wolves and only weigh between 12-20 kgs. They are similar to a coyote or even dingo in size and build, and having a long narrow muzzle. The fur is a tawny red and white with a black bushy tail. Native to the ever-decreasing Ethiopian highlands, which has seven isolated mountain ranges with altitudes of 3,000 – 4,500 metres.

Unlike other Canids which may be widespread and general feeders, this wolf is a highly specialised feeder of Afroalpine rodents, which include grass rats, giant mole rats, hares, young ungulates (hoofed animals) goslings, eggs, and they sometimes feed or scavenge on carcasses. The Ethiopian wolves perform a very specific habitat requirement by being key predators in the ecosystems they inhabit; controlling the population of prey animals. They can reach speeds of up to 48km per hour. Yet, their existence is threatened by farmers encroaching on their land and killing them, as well as habitat destruction and degradation. Another threat that has had a tragic effect, wiping out whole packs, is disease from domestic dog populations that are not vaccinated.
The wolves do not populate like other types; they are monogamous, mating exclusively and only with the dominant female. Other females are reproductively supressed. Litter sizes vary from 2-6 pups and just once a year. It isn’t until they reach two years of age that they are ready to breed. All adults help to look after and feed the pups by regurgitation of food they have eaten. The dispersal of lone wolves from a pack to form a new pack is restricted by the scarcity of unoccupied habitat.
The Ethiopian wolf has a different and fascinating social life; primarily, they hunt alone, yet they are social and form packs of usually six members but sometimes between three to thirteen members. Various packs are territorial and they gather for greetings and border patrols at dawn, midday and evening. Maintaining their territory through scent and vocalisation. Pack structure is hierarchical and clearly defined by dominant and submissive behaviour, both sexes have a dominance ranking. Their vocalisation and greeting calls use a combination of throat growls and whines of submission, the whining is at a high frequency, and it sounds similar to a cat.
Pam Brandis
Dip. Canine.Prac.