New African Wolf Discovered

Hello there! Nice to see you today. I see Madge is already filling your mug for you. Choose a treat and we’ll jaw a little. In case you missed it, scientists studying genetic evidence have discovered a new species of wolf living in Africa.

The researchers have proved that the mysterious animal, known as the 'Egyptian jackal' and often confused with the golden jackal, is not a sub-species of jackal but a grey wolf.

The discovery, by a team from Oxford University's Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU), the University of Oslo, and Addis Ababa University, shows that grey wolves reached Africa around 3 million years ago before spreading throughout the northern hemisphere. The new wolf is a relative of the Holarctic grey wolf, the Indian wolf and the Himalayan wolf.

Professor David Macdonald, an author of the paper and Director of Oxford University's WildCRU, said: 'A wolf in Africa is not only important conservation news, but raises fascinating biological questions about how the new African wolf evolved and lived alongside not only the real golden jackals but also the vanishingly rare Ethiopian wolf, which is a very different species with which the new discovery should not be confused.'

Now, that is one skinny, sorry-looking wolf, don’t’cha think? It looks as though a couple heart attack burgers would do it some good. Wolves are not generally solitary animals. They live and hunt in family packs. I have read several good books about wolves by Farley Mowat and a lady whose name escapes me for the moment…but she is half Inuit and half Californian if I recall correctly. In both cases they studied wolves in the Canadian Northland. Fascinating glimpses into wolf culture and communications.

Hey, I bet I could wolf down another muffin. How about you?

Bob

Comment from Charisse in Banglamung:

Speaking of Migration there‘s a show on National Geographic Channel about the great migration from monarch butterfly, ants and those crabs from Christmas Island etc...Realy cool stuff.thanks so much for u blogs!

Bob’s Reply: 

Thanks, Charisse. Wish we got the Nat Geo channel.