There are seven endemic (specific to one area) mammals of Ethiopia. Many of them are endangered but all are absolutely beautiful.
Canis simensis: Ky Kebero (Amharic), Jedala Farda (Oromic) or Ethiopian Wolf is on the 
International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources' (IUCN) Red List as Endangered. This creature is endemic to the Ethiopian highlands and is confined to seven isolated mountain range populations due to increasing agricultural pressure. There are approximately 500 adults left. Ethiopian wolves are long-limbed and slender with a reddish coat and white marking on the legs, underbelly, tail, face, and chin -- slightly resembing a Vulpes vulpes (Red Fox) in color. The boundary between the red and white fur is quite distinct. White markings on the face include a characteristic white crescent below the eyes and a white spot on the cheeks.
International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources' (IUCN) Red List as Endangered. This creature is endemic to the Ethiopian highlands and is confined to seven isolated mountain range populations due to increasing agricultural pressure. There are approximately 500 adults left. Ethiopian wolves are long-limbed and slender with a reddish coat and white marking on the legs, underbelly, tail, face, and chin -- slightly resembing a Vulpes vulpes (Red Fox) in color. The boundary between the red and white fur is quite distinct. White markings on the face include a characteristic white crescent below the eyes and a white spot on the cheeks. Equus asinus somalicus: Meda Ahia (Amharic) or Somali Wild Ass is on the IUC
N's Red List as Critically Endangered. It is one of the wild ancestors of the domestic donkey -- the other ancestor exist in the northwest Indian deserts. It is possible that a few remain in Somalia, but the main herd is located on the Afar Plains of Ethiopia. There are three recognized species of the African Wild Ass. The Algerian Wild Ass has been extinct for many years. The Nubian Wild Ass, formerly abundant on the plains of Nubia and the Sudan deserts, was last recorded in northern Eritrea, however, total absence of sight records of the Nubian in recent years has led to the assumption that it too is extinct. The Somali Wild Ass is, therefore, very probably the only African Wild Ass left on earth and its numbers are, at best, around 200 mature members. Due to their roaming lifestyle, an accurate account of their numbers is impossible.
N's Red List as Critically Endangered. It is one of the wild ancestors of the domestic donkey -- the other ancestor exist in the northwest Indian deserts. It is possible that a few remain in Somalia, but the main herd is located on the Afar Plains of Ethiopia. There are three recognized species of the African Wild Ass. The Algerian Wild Ass has been extinct for many years. The Nubian Wild Ass, formerly abundant on the plains of Nubia and the Sudan deserts, was last recorded in northern Eritrea, however, total absence of sight records of the Nubian in recent years has led to the assumption that it too is extinct. The Somali Wild Ass is, therefore, very probably the only African Wild Ass left on earth and its numbers are, at best, around 200 mature members. Due to their roaming lifestyle, an accurate account of their numbers is impossible.Tragelaphus scriptus meneliki: Dukula (Amharic), Menelik Bushbuck, or Arussi Bu
shbuck. Over forty races of bushbuck have been identified and are the smallest of the spiral-horned antelopes. They live only in the high mountains and forests of Ethiopia. Of the two Ethiopian races, meneliki and powelli, the latter is the more common and somewhat smaller. But Menelik's is also fairly widespread and can be seen in much of Ethiopia's highland forest up to the treeline. No accurate estimate has been made of their total population because of their nocturnal and furtive habits. It is usual to spot them from about four o'clock onwards, or in the early morning. They have a loud barking alarm call, like that of domestic dogs, which can be heard from some distance away, and also a series of grunts. Very few Menelik's have been collected by hunters. The multiplication of numbers in the park could lead to its greater accessibilty to authorized hunters.
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shbuck. Over forty races of bushbuck have been identified and are the smallest of the spiral-horned antelopes. They live only in the high mountains and forests of Ethiopia. Of the two Ethiopian races, meneliki and powelli, the latter is the more common and somewhat smaller. But Menelik's is also fairly widespread and can be seen in much of Ethiopia's highland forest up to the treeline. No accurate estimate has been made of their total population because of their nocturnal and furtive habits. It is usual to spot them from about four o'clock onwards, or in the early morning. They have a loud barking alarm call, like that of domestic dogs, which can be heard from some distance away, and also a series of grunts. Very few Menelik's have been collected by hunters. The multiplication of numbers in the park could lead to its greater accessibilty to authorized hunters.
Tragelaphus buxtoni: Dega Agazain (Amharic) or Mountain Nyala is on the IUCN's Red List as Critically Endangered. It was the last of the great African antelopes to become known (in 1908) and very little is known about its habits or the full extent of its range even today. They lived at very high altitudes, between ten and thirteen thousand feet, in the mountain forests where it was cold and wet much of the time, until the pressure of the human population destroyed vast tracts of their forest habitat. In Arsi the population is now reduced to a remnant but the Bale population remains intact due to the creation and preservation of Bale Mountains National Park. The number of mature individuals is estimated at less than 2,500 Nyala.Alceluphus bus
elaphus swaynei: Korkay (Amharic) or Swayne's Hartebeest is on the IUCN's Red List as Endangered. The common African hartebeest has fifteen races of which two are already extinct. There are about 600 individuals remaining (with the majority of the population confined to the Senkelle Wildlife Sanctuary and Mazie N.P. in Ethiopia); no subpopulation numbers more than 250 mature individuals. The small size of the mature population makes it close to qualifying as Critically Endangered. Three types of horns can be distinguished in the buselaphus group: U-shaped, as in the now-extinct North African buba hartebeest, and in the western hartebeest from Gambela, Nigeria and Cameroon; V-shaped, as in the Lelwel Hartebeest, Jackson's Hartebeest and the South African cape hartebeest. The third type of horn is shaped like inverted brackets as in Coke's Hartebeest, in the pale tawny Alceluphus buselaphus tora from Sudan and Ethiopia, and Swayne's Hartebeest, previousy found in both Somalia and Ethiopia, but now restricted only to Ethiopia.
elaphus swaynei: Korkay (Amharic) or Swayne's Hartebeest is on the IUCN's Red List as Endangered. The common African hartebeest has fifteen races of which two are already extinct. There are about 600 individuals remaining (with the majority of the population confined to the Senkelle Wildlife Sanctuary and Mazie N.P. in Ethiopia); no subpopulation numbers more than 250 mature individuals. The small size of the mature population makes it close to qualifying as Critically Endangered. Three types of horns can be distinguished in the buselaphus group: U-shaped, as in the now-extinct North African buba hartebeest, and in the western hartebeest from Gambela, Nigeria and Cameroon; V-shaped, as in the Lelwel Hartebeest, Jackson's Hartebeest and the South African cape hartebeest. The third type of horn is shaped like inverted brackets as in Coke's Hartebeest, in the pale tawny Alceluphus buselaphus tora from Sudan and Ethiopia, and Swayne's Hartebeest, previousy found in both Somalia and Ethiopia, but now restricted only to Ethiopia.Theropithecus gelada: Gelada (Amharic) or Gelada Baboon is listed on the IUCN's Red List as Least 
Concern/Vulnerable. There are two subspecies of the Gelada Baboon. The one that is classified as of Least Concern is Theropithecus gelada ssp. obscurus (common names: Southern Gelada, Eastern Gelada, Heuglin's Gelada) has a large range, remains abundant despite increasing threats. The other classified as Vulnerable is Theropithecus gelada ssp. gelada (common name: Northern Gelada) is located in Simien Mountains National Park but remains fragmented due to expanding agriculture. However in the Simien there are as 20,000, and troops of 400 together may be seen. While they are quite tame they live along the edges and steep slopes of precipices for safety. At night they climb down the steep cliff faces to caves where they roost on ledges, often huddled close together for warmth as Simien nights are frosty and bitterly cold. Apart from feeding, "grooming" is their other main pastime. This entails simply picking through each other's fur. This is not only a friendly and peaceful occupation, but it serves also to establish bonds between various members of the group and to cement the accepted relationships in the hierachy.
Concern/Vulnerable. There are two subspecies of the Gelada Baboon. The one that is classified as of Least Concern is Theropithecus gelada ssp. obscurus (common names: Southern Gelada, Eastern Gelada, Heuglin's Gelada) has a large range, remains abundant despite increasing threats. The other classified as Vulnerable is Theropithecus gelada ssp. gelada (common name: Northern Gelada) is located in Simien Mountains National Park but remains fragmented due to expanding agriculture. However in the Simien there are as 20,000, and troops of 400 together may be seen. While they are quite tame they live along the edges and steep slopes of precipices for safety. At night they climb down the steep cliff faces to caves where they roost on ledges, often huddled close together for warmth as Simien nights are frosty and bitterly cold. Apart from feeding, "grooming" is their other main pastime. This entails simply picking through each other's fur. This is not only a friendly and peaceful occupation, but it serves also to establish bonds between various members of the group and to cement the accepted relationships in the hierachy. Capra W'alie: W
alia (Amharic) or Walia Ibex is listed on the IUCN's Red List as Endangered. The total population of the species is estimated at around 500 individuals (probably less than 250 mature individuals total) is largely confined to Simien Mountains National Park. Although the population has been showing signs of increase over the past decade or so, the habitat continues to be degraded by human encroachment. At the first record of the Walia in 1835 it was considered a mythical beast. It wasn't properly observed until 1900. Mountain sheep and goats have feet that are specially adapted for living in mountainous terrain. Their hooves have sharp edges and the undersides are concave, enabling them to adhere somewhat like suction cups. To watch even the youngest and smallest of the Walia kids racing about on slanted rocky ledges in a cliff face of terrifying steepness, makes one catch one's breath with anxiety. They never fall. In 1963 it was classified by the IUCN as in danger of extinction. In that year the total number remaining alive was estimated at less than 200, probably 150. Fortunately before the end came the Ethiopian Government recognized the danger and, in 1965, drew up plans to establish a national park to protect both the habitat and its fauna.
alia (Amharic) or Walia Ibex is listed on the IUCN's Red List as Endangered. The total population of the species is estimated at around 500 individuals (probably less than 250 mature individuals total) is largely confined to Simien Mountains National Park. Although the population has been showing signs of increase over the past decade or so, the habitat continues to be degraded by human encroachment. At the first record of the Walia in 1835 it was considered a mythical beast. It wasn't properly observed until 1900. Mountain sheep and goats have feet that are specially adapted for living in mountainous terrain. Their hooves have sharp edges and the undersides are concave, enabling them to adhere somewhat like suction cups. To watch even the youngest and smallest of the Walia kids racing about on slanted rocky ledges in a cliff face of terrifying steepness, makes one catch one's breath with anxiety. They never fall. In 1963 it was classified by the IUCN as in danger of extinction. In that year the total number remaining alive was estimated at less than 200, probably 150. Fortunately before the end came the Ethiopian Government recognized the danger and, in 1965, drew up plans to establish a national park to protect both the habitat and its fauna.Information has been adapted from (if not already linked):
- Canid Specialist Group at www.canids.org/species/Canis_simensis.htm.
- Ethiopia's Wolf Conservation Programme at www.ethiopianwolf.org/wolves/overview.shtml.
- The Animal Diversity Web of the University of Michigan at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Canis_simensis.html.
- Ethiopia First at www.ethiopiafirst.com/Tour/endemic/Endemic-mammals.html.
- Blue Forest Safari's at www.wild-about-you.com/GameArusiBushBuck.htm.
