(Canis simensis)
Also known as the Ethiopian/Abyssinian Wolf or Simien Fox/Jackal.
This is the rarest canid in the world with only about 550 remaining adult animals split over several disjoint populations in the Afro-alpine regions of Ethiopia, about 10,000 feet (3,000 m) above sea level. The largest population is found in the Sanetti Plateau area of the Bale Mountains in southern Ethiopia, although there are also smaller populations in the Simien Mountains in the north of the country, and in a few other areas. The diet of the Ethiopian wolf is almost exclusively composed of diurnal rodents. One study revealed that rodents account for 96% of all prey, with the endemic Big-headed Mole Rat being the main food item. In areas where the Big-headed Mole Rat is absent, the wolf will primarily subsist on the East African Mole Rat.
On our two visits to the Sanetti Plateau we were fortunate to see 6 animals, often they can be seen quite close to the road. These photographs were all taken from inside the car of one individual who was hunting rats right alongside the road.