Ethiopian Wolf Conservation Programme THE ETHIOPIAN WOLF, AFRICA’S MOST ENDANGERED CARNIVORE

EWCP and the Wolves Zegeye Kibret February 18, 2011 ICS, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

The Afroalpine highlands of Ethiopia constitute 80% of Africa’s high ground over 3000m asl

These mountains are magnificent and harbor unique species found nowhere else in the world

The Ethiopian Wolf Endemic to Ethiopia. Lives in mountain grasslands and scrub above 3000 metres. World’s most endangered canid, Africa’s most endangered carnivore. No wolves in captivity. Unlike most canids, the Ethiopian Wolf is a specialist when it comes to diet. Forages alone, defends territory as a pack

2 There are less than 450 Ethiopian wolves left in the entire world today.

Occur in just seven isolated mountain pockets above 3000m. The largest population of wolves is found in the Bale Mountains (approx 250). Extinct Approx. 250 individuals

Live in a group called a Pack Are territorial The pack is led by alpha male and female pair

They prey primarily on rodents, such as field mice and mole rats. In the Bale Mountains, the endemic Giant mole rat is their favourite prey

Adult wolves bring food to the pups

Once a year the alpha female from a pack gives birth to 2 to 7 pups. They emerge from the den after 3 weeks The rest of the pack helps to feed the pups until they can hunt for themselves. At 6 months the pups are independent and must find their own food.

Threats An ever-increasing human population, moving further (higher) into the Afroalpine The resultant expansion of crops and livestock farming which means less habitat and food available for wolves A possible increase in direct human-wildlife conflict

Livestock grazing? THREATS TO THE SURVIVAL OF THE WOLVES

Domestic Dogs Disease transmission Direct conflict Hybridization

Disease is the most immediate threat to the Ethiopian wolves. In 2003 in the Bale Mountains National Park, 70% of Web Valley’s wolves died of rabies. In 2008 and 2009, a total of 120 wolves in Morebawa and the Web Valley were lost to rabies, transmitted from domestic dogs. THREATS TO THE SURVIVAL OF THE WOLVES

The Ethiopian Wolf Conservation Programme The programme was started in It is the longest running conservation programme in Ethiopia and the only programme concerned with saving the Ethiopian wolves. A non-profit organisation that relies entirely on donations to cover running costs. Operate out of the Bale Mountains National Park, with programmes also running in Arsi, and in the 5 northern wolf populations of Ethiopia Currently employ more than 30 local wolf monitors, education officers, veterinary officers and support staff.

WHAT DOES EWCP DO TO HELP SAVE THIS HIGHLY ENDANGERED AND UNIQUE ANIMAL?

Our goal and tools To conserve the Ethiopian wolf and its Afroalpine habitat Disease Control To minimise the risk of rabies or distemper affecting any Ethiopian wolf population Capacity Building To increase Ethiopia’s ability to manage its natural resources sustainably Outreach and Education To increase the public’s awareness and willingness to conserve Ethiopian wolves and their habitat Research Ecology Conservation Science Provides support for decision making Monitoring: How many wolves, where and population trends Support for decision making

Monitoring 10 wolf monitors, spend a total of 17 days in the field each month. Generate long term data sets (life histories, breeding success etc) on which conservation decisions can be based. Early warning for disease outbreaks. Monitor effectiveness of disease intervention.

Domestic dog vaccinations: EWCP has a vet team who work hard to vaccinate domestic dogs in and around the Bale Mountains National Park against rabies. By doing this, we hope to decrease the threat of rabies to Ethiopian wolves, as this deadly disease is easily spread from the dogs to the wolves. Since 1996, over dogs have been vaccinated by the EWCP teams.

100 wolves vaccinated in 2008 and 2009 in response to rabies outbreaks Contained rabies to immediate outbreak area Ensured that at least a breeding pair survived in each pack Rapid response to rabies outbreaks

EWCP Education and Outreach

Education and Outreach programme: School programmes and door-to-door visits within villages. Training of new teachers in conservation management at the teacher training colleges. Reaches more than students, teachers, administrators and community members a year Establishment of Nature Clubs within schools and villages. Establishment of wildlife libraries within schools Annual Wolf Day, raising awareness in Arsi and Bale. Annual Rabies Day

Healthy wolves mean healthy mountains! By protecting the wolves we also protect other biological resources: Water Soils Vegetation The wolves’ rodent prey And all the other animals and people that depend on the healthy afroalpine environment and their ecosystem processes.

Thank you for your time. Please, we need your support to save these very special animals!