Ethiopia is one of the most unique landscapes on Earth, with lush forests, snow-capped peaks and arid deserts. As a country with such varied habitats, Ethiopia is home to many species that cannot be found anywhere else on Earth.
According to Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority, Ethiopia has about 50 endemic mammals, 15 reptiles and 30 amphibians. We tracked down ten of these animals to show just what’s at stake.
1. The Ethiopian Wolf
The Ethiopian wolf is one of Earth’s rarest canid species, and unfortunately Africa’s most endangered carnivore. Unlike other canid predators with large and varied diets, the Ethiopian Wolf hunts small rodents in the Bale Mountains of Ethiopia, and is totally dependent on the health of its limited habitat to survive.
2. Walia Ibex
Only 500 Walia Ibex still exist in the Semien Mountains of Ethiopia, both due to poaching and habitat loss. Numbers were actually lower in the 90’s, but constant efforts from Semien Park’s mountain rangers to create protected wildlife corridors have allowed numbers to rebound, with hope for the future.
The Walia Ibex is a type of goat that lives on narrow mountain edges and can be recognized by the large curved horns of adults of both sexes. However, the males’ horns are larger than the females’ and may measure in excess of one meter.
3. The Mountain Nyala
The Mountain Nyala’s claim to fame is its inclusion on Ethiopia’s ten cent coin,
marking its importance in Ethiopian culture. They make their home in Ethiopia’s Bale mountain park, with most them living within only 200 square kilometers.
The mountain Nyala (Tragelaphus Buxtoni) is similar in size and shape to the Greater Kudu but it has smaller horns with only one twist as opposed to the greater Kudu’s two or three. The shaggy coat of the Mountain Nyala is brownish rather than plain grey, and the striping is indistinct. This elegant and handsome antelope live in herds of five to ten animals in juniper and hagenia forests in the southeast highland.
4. Somali Wild Donkey
Despite once living in Somalia, Eritrea and Ethiopia, the Somali Wild Donkey is believed to only live in Ethiopia now, mostly within the Afar plains. Although their numbers are small in the wild, there
are numerous captive populations around the world to ensure they can someday regain their previous numbers.
5. The Bale Mountain Vervet
Another mysterious inhabitant of the Bale Mountains park, the Bale Mountain Vervet is one of Africa’s least studied primates. They make their homes in the thick bamboo forests of the park, and despite their remote habitat, they seem to have kept up with current fashion with their blond coif and cool-guy beard.
6. Menilik Bushbucks
These little bushbucks are part of a sub-species found only in the Ethiopian highlands, and are very shy around humans. They are closely related to the Mountain Nyala, except they are much smaller, standing only 35 inches in height on average.
7. Gelada Baboons
These Baboons can be found in huge numbers throughout the Simien Mountains. They are sometimes called the Bleeding Heart Monkey due to the unique red skin patch each has on their chests. They are very social animals, and will typically be spotted in huge family groups.
The striking and unmistakable most common of Ethiopia’s endemic large mammal species, with a population estimated by some to be as high as 700,000.
8. Swanyne’s Hartebeeste Amharic: Korkay
These large Antelopes are native to Ethiopia, and have been the target of large sanctuary projects to help save them from their current extinction danger. Their sanctuaries have become popular tourist attractions, which will hopefully increase awareness about their status.
9. The Black Lion
Named for its distinctive black mane, the Black Mane Lion is genetically distinct from all other lions in Africa. They live in the Harenna Forest and in the Alatish National Park. This is a huge region that very few people have visited, though lions are thought to have been present there for centuries.
10. Giant Mole Rat
Giant Mole rat (Tachyoryctes macrocephalus), also known as the giant root rat, plays a much more serious role in the ecology of the Afro alpine communities of Ethiopia. It is endemic to Ethiopia, where it is confined to high altitude shrub and grasslands in the Afro alpine habitat of the Bale Mountains (3000 – 4377 meter).
The Ethiopian Herald Jun 20,2020
BY HIZKEL HAILU
