Ethiopian wolf

Ethiopian wolf
Temporal range: 1.6–0 Ma[1]
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Ethiopian wolf on the Sanetti Plateau
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Canidae
Genus: Canis
Species:
C. simensis
Binomial name
Canis simensis
Ethiopian wolf range
Synonyms[4]
  • C. crinensis Erlanger and Neumann, 1900
  • C. semiensis Heuglin, 1862
  • C. simensis Gray, 1869
  • C. walgié Heuglin, 1862
  • C. citernii de Beaux, 1922

The Ethiopian wolf (Canis simensis),[4] also called the red jackal, the Simien jackal or Simien fox, is a canine native to the Ethiopian Highlands. In southeastern Ethiopia, it is also known as the horse jackal. It is similar to the coyote in size and build, and is distinguished by its long and narrow skull, and its red and white fur.[5] Unlike most large canids, which are widespread, generalist feeders, the Ethiopian wolf is a highly specialised feeder of Afroalpine rodents with very specific habitat requirements.[6] It is one of the world's rarest canids, and Africa's most endangered carnivore.[7]

The species's current range is limited to seven isolated mountain ranges at altitudes of 3,000–4,500 m, with the overall adult population estimated at 360–440 individuals in 2011, more than half of them in the Bale Mountains.[2][8]

The Ethiopian wolf is listed as endangered by the IUCN, on account of its small numbers and fragmented range. Threats include increasing pressure from expanding human populations, resulting in habitat degradation through overgrazing, and disease transference and interbreeding from free-ranging dogs. Its conservation is headed by Oxford University's Ethiopian Wolf Conservation Programme, which seeks to protect the wolves through vaccination and community outreach programs.[2]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Earliest was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b c Marino, J.; Sillero-Zubiri, C. (2011). "Canis simensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2011: e.T3748A10051312. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-1.RLTS.T3748A10051312.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  3. ^ Rüppell 1835, Vol. Säugetiere: p. 39, pl. 14.
  4. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference wozencraft2005 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Sillero-Zubiri, C.; Gottelli, D. (1994). "Canis simensis" (PDF). Mammalian Species. 385 (485): 1–6. doi:10.2307/3504136. JSTOR 3504136. S2CID 253988540. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2011-09-22.
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference funk2004 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ IUCN/SSC Canid Specialist Group 2011, pp. 7–8
  8. ^ "Ethiopian Wolf". Awf.org. Retrieved 19 March 2022.