Walia Special Edition on the Bale Mountains (2011) - Zoologische ...

Ecology and Reproductive Strategy of an Afroalpine <strong>Special</strong>ist: Ethiopian Wolves in
the Bale Mountains
Claudio Sillero-Zubiri 1* , Dada Gottelli 2 , Jorgelina Marino 1 , Deborah Randall 1,3 , Lucy Tallents 1 and
David W. Macdonald 1
1 Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, University of Oxford, Tubney House, Abingdon Road,
Tubney Ox13 5qL, UK
2 Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent’s Park, London NW1 4RY, UK
3 Frankfurt Zoological Society, PO Box 100003, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
*Email: claudio.sillero@zoo.ox.ac.uk
Abstract
Ethiopian wolves Canis simensis are confined to seven ranges of Afroalpine habitats in Ethiopia,
where they combine conspicuous sociability with specialised, solitary foraging for a narrow range
of Afroalpine rodent species. A detailed field study in the Bale Mountains in 1988-1992 yielded
information on the behavioural ecology of this rare carnivore, and was followed up by other field
studies on population biology, ecological requirements and genetics. Here we present a review of
the current state of knowledge of Ethiopian wolves’ biogeography, diet, foraging behaviour, spatial
organization, territoriality, social structure, mating behaviour, reproductive biology dispersal,
biogeography, and genetics. We conclude with remarks on the cost the wolves’ specialisation to the
Afroalpine ecosystem poses to their long-term conservation.
Introduction
At ca. 20 kg, the Ethiopian wolf Canis simensis differs from such typical, medium-sized canids as
the coyote C. latrans in its unusually long legs and a long muzzle (Sillero-Zubiri and Gottelli 1994).
Restricted to rodent-rich Afroalpine habitat within the Ethiopian highlands, its diurnal habits and
distinctive coat render this species conspicuous. A bright tawny rufous fur, with a characteristic
pattern of white marks, a thick black and white bushy tail and broad, pointed ears result in a rather
‘foxy’ appearance (Sillero-Zubiri and Marino 2004). This, and its reliance upon small prey, misled
early European naturalists to name this species the Simien fox. Uncertainty over its taxonomy led
to an array of alternative vernacular names, including the Simien jackal, Abyssinian wolf, ky kebero
(Amharic for red jackal) and jedala faarda (Orominia for horse’s jackal).
Unlike other medium- to large-sized canids, which typically are generalist predators and
widely distributed (Macdonald 1992). Ethiopian wolves combine conspicuous sociability with
specialised, solitary foraging for a narrow range of Afroalpine rodents. Today, these wolves are
confined to Afroalpine pockets in a handful of Ethiopian mountains, and total less than 600 individuals,
<strong>Walia</strong>-<strong>Special</strong> <strong>Edition</strong> on the Bale Mountains 61