Ethiopian Wolves (Canis simensis) are the rarest Canid on the planet with a population of around just five hundred individuals. Most of these are found in the Bale Mountains but a second population occurs further north in the Simien Mountains. Interbreeding with feral dogs is one problem, but they have also caught rabies and distemper from them, causing a concerning population decline, particularly in the Simien population.
They feed on small mammals; Grass Rats, Meadow Rats and Big-headed Mole-rats which are abundant in this habitat. But the rats are ever-vigilant and will dart back down their burrows if they see or sense a wolf approaching. People have noticed that the wolves often choose to hunt near to cows. This is probably because the rats habituate to the stomping of hooves and the presence of large non-threatening grazers. This enables the wolves to use the cows as a stalking horse to get closer to the rats without being noticed.
Taken with a Nikon D500 and a 300mm f4 lens with a 1.4x converter. 1/8000 second f5.6 ISO 1400 (17 February 2017)
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Another lovely photo by Tim as a fellow photographer, not of course in the same class I both appreciate the photo and the effort I know has gone into both the photo itself and the learnt skill that it has required but just sometimes the jealousy is exposed. Bloody hell is there no end to Tim’s wonderful photos? Actually I hope not.
Paul – there are some great ones lined up over the next few weeks! And I like Tim’s commentaries very much.
So do I Mark, so do I.
Thanks ever so much for the kind comments Paul. That ever critical (presumed) gamekeeper must have thought my white balance was wrong.