Across the quiet edges of Africa’s high plateaus roams an animal of strange beauty—the Ethiopian wolf. This reddish-brown hunter looks like a cross between a wolf and a fox. Its role in nature’s balance is immense, yet the reality is stark: its numbers on Earth are now perilously few. Researchers warn that if this animal vanishes, the biodiversity of Africa’s highlands will suffer a severe blow.
The Ethiopian wolf (Canis simensis) is found only on Ethiopia’s highlands. Grassy moorlands above 3,000 meters, with their cool climate, are its ideal home. Once spread across many parts of Ethiopia, the species is now confined to a handful of isolated areas such as the Simien Mountains and the Bale Plateau. Locals call it “kyaberu,” meaning “the fox of the high mountains.”
Zoologists describe the Ethiopian wolf as “the world’s rarest canid.” It is easy to recognize by its long, slender legs, sharp muzzle, keen eyes, and bright reddish coat. The throat and belly are white, and the ears are large and pointed. Adult males average about 18 kilograms in weight, with females somewhat smaller.
Diet and behavior
These wolves mainly hunt small mammals, especially the Ethiopian mole-rat, which is their primary food. Unlike most wolf species, they hunt in daylight. They usually live in small packs of six to eight individuals. Social bonds within the group are close, yet they prefer to hunt alone.
According to wildlife researchers, fewer than 600 Ethiopian wolves remain. Expanding human settlements, conversion of land to agriculture, scarcity of prey, and diseases such as rabies and canine distemper transmitted by domestic dogs pose grave threats. Agricultural expansion on the Ethiopian plateau is shrinking their habitat day by day.
A local herder told the media, “We’ve seen these wolves since we were children. But now they’re no longer as common. If you head out at dawn, you might glimpse a reddish shadow in the distance—and then it’s gone.”
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the Ethiopian wolf as Endangered. Vaccination campaigns are underway to prevent diseases spreading from domestic dogs. Efforts also include creating protected areas and raising public awareness. Researchers stress that without involving local communities, conservation will not be sustainable.
This wolf is more than a single species; it is a guardian of the high-mountain ecosystem of Africa. By controlling the numbers of small mammals, it helps maintain ecological balance. Scientists believe that losing the Ethiopian wolf would also mean losing a piece of ancient natural heritage.
