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Unique Feeding Behavior Observed in Ethiopian Wolves
Recent research published in the journal Ecology has revealed an intriguing feeding behavior in Ethiopian wolves (Canis simensi). The Ethiopian Wolf Conservation Programme (EWCP) has documented these wolves foraging specifically for the nectar of the Ethiopian red hot poker flower (Kniphofia foliosa). Observers noted that individual wolves would explore up to 30 blooms in one outing, and this behavior seems to be not only widespread but also communal, as wolves from different packs take part in this unique foraging activity. Additionally, there are signs of social learning, with adult wolves bringing younger individuals to these flower fields.
The wolves’ muzzles accumulate pollen while they feed, raising the possibility that they may inadvertently facilitate pollination by transferring pollen between flowers. This behavior may represent the first recorded instance of a large predator engaging in plant-pollinator interactions and marks the Ethiopian wolf as the only known large carnivore to consume nectar.
Dr. Sandra Lai, a senior scientist with the EWCP and the lead author of the study, emphasized the significance of these findings, stating, “These observations underscore how much we have yet to learn about one of the world’s most endangered carnivores. They also highlight the intricate interactions among species that inhabit the diverse ecosystems of the Roof of Africa, an area that continues to face challenges such as habitat loss and fragmentation.”
Professor Claudio Sillero, founder and director of EWCP at the University of Oxford, recounted his first encounter with the nectar’s allure: “My attention was initially drawn to the nectar after seeing local children in the Bale Mountains savoring the flowers. I quickly tried it myself and found it to be sweet and enjoyable. Observing the wolves engage in this activity confirmed to me that they were partaking in a delightful source of energy. I am thrilled to have documented this behavior as common among Ethiopian wolves and to explore its ecological implications.”
The Ethiopian wolf is recognized as the world’s rarest wild dog species and is a critically endangered carnivore in Africa. Native to the highland regions of Ethiopia, the population is estimated at fewer than 500 individuals, distributed across 99 packs confined to six Afroalpine habitats.
Established in 1995, the Ethiopian Wolf Conservation Programme (EWCP) focuses on the preservation of these wolves and their unique ecosystems. This initiative represents a collaboration among the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU) at the University of Oxford, the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority (EWCA), and Dinkenesh Ethiopia. As Ethiopia’s longest-running conservation effort, EWCP is dedicated to ensuring the protection of natural habitats, benefiting both wildlife and the human communities in the Ethiopian highlands.
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