Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Animals by Habitat
AFRO-ALPINE
The Afro-alpine habitat, within the Bale and Simien Mountains National Parks, boasts the
largest number of endemic mammals and hosts mountain nyalas, walia ibexes, Ethiopian
wolves, gelada baboons, Menelik's bushbuck and giant molerats. In addition, 16 of
Ethiopia's endemic birds are also found in these lofty confines.
DESERT & SEMIDESERT SCRUBLAND
At the opposite end of the elevation spectrum, the sprawling deserts and semidesert scrub-
lands of Ethiopia and Djibouti host the endangered African wild asses and Grevy's zebras,
as well as the Soemmering's gazelles and beisa oryx. Birds include ostriches; secretary
birds; Arabian, Kori and Heuglin's bustards; Abyssinian rollers; red-cheeked cordon
bleus; and crested francolins.
DECIDUOUS FOREST
Widespread but discontinuous deciduous forests are home to greater and lesser kudus,
hartebeest, gazelles, De Brazza's monkeys and small populations of elands, buffaloes and
elephants. Limited numbers of Grevy's zebras and beisa oryx also inhabit these areas.
Birdlife includes the white-bellied go-away bird, superb starling, red-billed quelea,
helmeted guinea fowl, secretary bird, Ruppell's long-tailed starling, gambaga flycatcher,
red-cheeked cordon bleu, bush petronia and black-faced firefinch.
EVERGREEN FOREST
Wandering the evergreen forests in the southwestern and western parts of the country are
bushpigs, forest hogs, Menelik's bushbucks and more De Brazza's monkeys. Around
Gambela, in the lowland semi-evergreen forest, are rare populations of elephants, giraffes,
lions and, if rumours are to be believed, massive herds of white-eared kob, a beautiful
golden antelope found in larger numbers in southern Sudan. The colourful birdlife in-
cludes Abyssinian black-headed orioles, Abyssinian hill babblers, white-cheeked turacos,
scaly-throated honeyguides, scaly francolins, emerald cuckoos and yellow-billed coucals.
DRY EVERGREEN MONTANE FOREST & GRASSLAND
The odd leopard, gazelle, jackal and hyena still roam the dry evergreen montane forest
and grassland found in Ethiopia's north, northwest and central and southern highlands.
Birds of note include black-winged lovebirds, half-collared kingfishers and several en-
demic species.
