Last 500 Ethiopian Wolves Endangered by Lack of Genetic Diversity

As the title states, there are only 500 Ethiopian wolves (Canis simensis) left.  Although these wolves live in packs that are meant to protect each other and promote the survival rate of the species, the packs are what are somewhat inducing their endangerment.  Only six populations remain, but these packs are located so far from another, that they will most likely never cross paths.  Aside from the fragmented populations, three of the packs possess less than twenty-five wolves each.  These two negative factors contribute to the lack of genetic diversity that is responsible for the dwindling numbers of wolves.  When there are fewer than twenty-five of a species living in the same territory, inbreeding is bound to happen.



The more incest, the lower the birth survival rate, higher defects, and less adaptability. When populations are located so far away from each other, there is little chance of crossbreeding to allow for a change in genes.  Because of the amount of people building up between wolf territories, travel is harder and risks of death from travel (due to farmers that hunt wolves) is constantly increasing.  If people do not assist in relocating these wolves so that variance among genes can become possible, the Ethiopian wolves will continue to die off.

 

It always seemed to be common fact that wolves traveled in packs; however, the thought of genetic diversity never crossed my mind.  I'm now curious as to how so many other wolves have survived this long without being put on the threatened or endangered lists.  After looking a little more into this article, I found that Ethiopian wolves were the only species of wolves in all of Africa, up until a new species was discovered in January 2011.  This species was originally thought to be a jackal, but after DNA analysis, was found to be in closer relation to the grey wolf.  Because this newer species is still being called by its name of the Egyptian jackal, the decline of Ethiopian wolves will continue to be highly frowned upon as a loss of Africa's only wolf.