Species · GBIF taxon 5219143
Ethiopian Wolf
Canis simensisAlso known as Red Jackal, Simien Jackal, Simien Fox, Horse Jackal
Ethiopian wolves are elegant, slender-snouted canids that patrol the high-altitude Afroalpine grasslands of Ethiopia. Unlike pack-hunting wolves, these solitary hunters specialize in catching rodents, using their long muzzles and keen hearing to detect underground movements. They maintain strong social bonds by gathering at dawn and dusk to patrol territory boundaries and sleep together in the open.
EndangeredAfroalpineCarnivore
Licensed referenceCharles J. Sharp / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
- diet
- Carnivorous, specializing almost exclusively on Afroalpine rodents
- family
- Canidae
- threats
- Habitat loss from agriculture, disease transmission from domestic dogs, and hybridization
- life Span
- 8 to 10 years in the wild
EN
Can carry rabies and may bite if cornered; observe from a safe distance.
With fewer than 500 individuals remaining, this is Africa's most endangered carnivore, highly vulnerable to disease outbreaks.
Never approach, feed, or attempt to photograph them closely; report any sick-looking wolves to park rangers.- Keep Distance: Stay at least 100 meters away to avoid disrupting their hunting behavior.
- Stick to Trails: Walk only on designated paths in national parks to protect fragile alpine soils.
- Manage Waste: Pack out all food scraps to prevent attracting domestic dogs that carry diseases.