Ethiopian Wolf Conservation Program

Safeguarding the future habitats for the benefit of wildlife

When you support Ethiopian Wolf Conservation Program (EWCP), you help secure viable and ecologically functioning Ethiopian wolf populations and habitats.

Donate Now

EWCP recognizes the importance of Ethiopian wolves as a flagship species.

To protect this species, they promote the conservation and sustainable use of the Afroalpine ecosystem, which present and future generations of Ethiopians also depend.

The Ethiopian wolf is Africa’s most endangered carnivore and the world’s rarest canid.

With fascinating social lives, distinctive red coats, and fragile status, Ethiopian wolves motivate conservationists, scientists, and supporters from around the world to save them from extinction.

Find out more

EWCP believes in coexistence of wolves, people, and their livestock.

Safeguarding the future of natural habitats for the benefit of wildlife and people in the highlands of Ethiopia is the vision of the Ethiopian Wolf Conservation Program (EWCP).

Find out more

The Ethiopian wolf is Africa’s most endangered carnivore and the world’s rarest canid.

With fascinating social lives, distinctive red coats, and fragile status, Ethiopian wolves motivate conservationists, scientists, and supporters from around the world to save them from extinction.

Find out more

EWCP believes in coexistence of wolves, people, and their livestock.

Safeguarding the future of natural habitats for the benefit of wildlife and people in the highlands of Ethiopia is the vision of the Ethiopian Wolf Conservation Program (EWCP).

Find out more

Ethiopia currently has the fastest growing human population in Africa. These rapid changes create complex challenges for wolves and other species in the Ethiopian highlands—the only place where the rare Ethiopian wolf lives and raises its young. As subsistence agriculture encroaches higher and deeper into the highlands, wildlife become increasingly trapped in mountain tops. These Afroalpine islands in a sea of people are precious land for local communities which, together with their sheep and goats, bring domestic dogs that carry fatal diseases for the wolves. As specialized rodent hunters, Ethiopian wolves do not pose direct threats to people, yet ensuring their coexistence with people is not a simple task.

Safeguarding the future of natural habitats for the benefit of wildlife and people in the highlands of Ethiopia is the vision of the Ethiopian Wolf Conservation Program (EWCP). Thanks to EWCP’s long-term commitment there are today more than 60 Ethiopians working to tackle these problems from many angles, working alongside local communities, government institutions, and international partners.

Conservation Solutions

Restoring Habitat

Scientific Research

Boosting Local Economies

Guiding Policy

Promoting Health

Guassa Gardens

EWCP’s Guassa gardens program spreads a native species of grass to reduce erosion and preserve soil humidity, and provide food and shelter for small rodents, boosting prey availability for wolves. Guassa is valued as a versatile material for thatching, weaving, rope and livestock fodder, so it provides income and resources to local families.

Wolf Ambassadors

EWCP works with Monitors and Wolf Ambassadors across the Ethiopian highlands and involves students to conduct research on priority topics to detect status changes and threats in all wolf populations. They also disseminate this information and develop evidence-based solutions at an early stage.

Biodiversity Friendly Futures

EWCP’s Biodiversity Friendly Futures program creates opportunities for local communities to create sustainable livelihoods in Ethiopia via innovative approaches, such as Highland honey. Highland honey is a traditional product from the Ethiopian highlands, with a unique taste and aroma. Families and working cooperatives install bee hives and sell it in local markets, keeping some for their own use.

National Action Plan for Ethiopian Wolf

EWCP promotes disease management strategy for rabies and canine distemper with numerous partners, including the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority, protected area managers, local governments, and communities. The National Action Plan for Ethiopian Wolf Conservation addresses diseases in domestic dogs, reduces dog-wolf contact, better detects outbreaks, and proactively vaccinates wolves.

One Health

One Health recognizes the connection between the health of people, domestic animals, wildlife, and ecosystems. Embracing a One Health vision, EWCP focuses on diseases impacting Ethiopian wolves, including rabies and canine distemper. EWCP routinely vaccinates over 3,000 domestic dogs a year against these diseases to reduce the risk of transmission between Ethiopian wolves, livestock, and people.

Restoring Habitat

One Health

Make an impact for Ethiopian Wolves

When you get involved, donate, or spread the word on social media, you are truly making a better world for Ethiopian wolves and the communities that live near them. Here are a few ways you can help:

Connect with Ethiopian Wolf Conservation Program on social media to learn more about their work and be a voice for these wolves.

Visit EWCP’s website and sign up for their newsletter to deepen your connection with conservation.

Visit Website

Donate to support EWCP’s work protecting Ethiopian wolves. Through our donation model, 100% of your donation goes to field with zero taken for overhead or administration.

Peering into the Ethiopian wolf’s intimate social life allows you to recognize very subtle behaviors, until you can anticipate their next move. It is the same level of knowledge and understanding as in human relationships when you know someone well enough to guess what they will do next.

Dr. Claudio Sillero

Conservation Translocations

All five extant Ethiopian wolf populations remain in danger of extinction simply due to their small size. These facts are scary: the largest population has some 300 wolves and the smallest fewer than 25; two small wolf populations went extinct in the past 10 years; there are no wolves in captivity anywhere in the world. The long-term survival of these wolves may ultimately depend on assisted movement of animals; for example to rescue populations decimated by disease and to recreate new ones in areas occupied by wolves in the past. EWCP is prepared to respond to urgent needs with drastic action, and is taking the first steps of a vision for the active management of Ethiopian wolves to secure their survival.

Photography Credits: Joshua Asel, Ethiopian Wolf Conservation Program, A.L. Harrington, Rebecca Jackrel, Rory Matthews, Burrard-Lucas Photography

Ethiopian Wolf Conservation Program

Safeguarding the future habitats for the benefit of wildlife

EWCP recognizes the importance of Ethiopian wolves as a flagship species.

The Ethiopian wolf is Africa’s most endangered carnivore and the world’s rarest canid.

EWCP believes in coexistence of wolves, people, and their livestock.

The Ethiopian wolf is Africa’s most endangered carnivore and the world’s rarest canid.

EWCP believes in coexistence of wolves, people, and their livestock.

SPECIES IMPACT

TEAM VALUES