Ethiopian ibex

Ethiopian ibex
	Ethiopian Ibex ( Capra walie )
Systematics
without rank:	Forehead weapon bearer (Pecora)
Family :	Horned Bearers (Bovidae)
Subfamily :	Antilopinae
Tribe :	Goatsies (Caprini)
Genre :	Goats ( capra )
Type :	Ethiopian ibex
Scientific name
	Capra walie
	Rüppell , 1835

The Ethiopian Ibex ( Capra walie ) is a species of goat . It used to be considered a subspecies of the common ibex ( Capra ibex ). Today, however, it is mostly considered an independent species.

Appearance

With a shoulder height of 97 cm and a weight of up to 120 kg (for bucks), this species is more massive than a Nubian ibex ( Capra nubiana ) but slimmer than an Alpine ibex . The upper side is colored hazel brown, the underside white. It is characterized by a black stripe on the front of each leg and a bony frontal cusp.

distribution

Distribution area of the Ethiopian Ibex

Its distribution area are the Simien Mountains in central Ethiopia. Here it was relatively common well into the 20th century, but was then brought to the brink of extinction through intensive hunting. In 1963 around 150 animals were still alive. The establishment of the Simien National Park saved the species, so that the population could slowly increase to 500 animals (2004). The IUCN lists the species as endangered .

Way of life

The Ethiopian ibex lives on the steep slopes of the mountains of its homeland at altitudes between 2800 and 3400 meters above sea level. Herds of up to 35 animals could be observed. You can observe rutting behavior all year round in this species, but the main rutting period falls from March to April. Then several bucks often join the herds and fight for the females willing to mate. Usually only one fawn is born.

literature

Ronald M. Nowak: Walker's Mammals of the World. 2 volumes. 6th edition. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD et al. 1999, ISBN 0-8018-5789-9 .
David Macdonald (Ed.): The Great Encyclopedia of Mammals. Könemann Verlag in the Tandem-Verlag-GmbH, Königswinter 2004, ISBN 3-8331-1006-6 .

Web links

Commons : Ethiopian Ibex ( Capra walie ) - Collection of images, videos and audio files

Image of an Ethiopian Ibex

Capra walie inthe IUCN 2013 Red List of Threatened Species . Posted by: Geberemedhin, B. & Grubb, P., 2008. Retrieved January 22, 2014.