Ethiopian wolves: Predators turned pollinators in ecosystem twist
Scientists have discovered that Ethiopian wolves consume flower nectar, which makes them pollinators like butterflies or bees. This new predator behaviour was observed in Ethiopia.
Ethiopian wolves, also known as Abyssinian wolves, have surprised scientists with their unusual behaviour. Researchers from the Ethiopian Wolf Conservation Programme (EWCP) found that these rare predators consume the nectar of red hot poker flowers. This behaviour makes them similar to pollinators such as bees or butterflies.
A single individual can visit up to 30 red hot poker flowers in one outing. These low, bottlebrush-like perennials are regularly visited by wolves from different groups. Older individuals teach the younger ones how to utilise this food source. In their attempt to access the nectar, wolves brush their snouts against the entire plant. This activity helps with the transfer of pollen between flowers and their clusters.
This discovery shows how much there is still to learn about one of the most endangered predators. It also highlights the complexity of interactions between different predator species living in this beautiful part of Africa. This unique and biologically diverse ecosystem remains threatened due to habitat loss and fragmentation, as pointed out by the study's lead author, Dr. Sandra Lai of EWCP, as quoted by the Polish Press Agency.
Ecological significance of the observations
The behaviour of the wolves may be the first known case of pollination interaction between a large predator and a plant. Dr. Sandra Lai from EWCP emphasises that this discovery shows the complexity of interactions in Ethiopia’s ecosystem, which is threatened by habitat loss.
Prof. Claudio Sillero from the University of Oxford, founder of EWCP, recalls discovering the nectar of the red hot poker flower while watching shepherd children who were licking the plant. "When I later saw the wolves doing the same — I knew they liked it and were simultaneously using an unusual energy source," says Sillero, as quoted by PAP.
The Ethiopian wolf (Canis simensis) is the rarest species of the canid family, found only in the mountains of Ethiopia. Fewer than 500 individuals live in the wild. The EWCP programme, in collaboration with the University of Oxford and the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority, aims to protect this endangered species.
