Taming a wolf Article Swipe
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· 2023
· Open Access
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· DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/fee.2663
· OA: W4385443295
The gelada (Theropithecus gelada) and the Ethiopian wolf (Canis simensis) are considered, respectively, the only graminivorous monkey and the rarest canid worldwide. Endemic to Ethiopian alpine grasslands, both species have very limited ranges and are threatened by agricultural expansion, shrinking habitats, and poaching. The wolves are further imperiled by rabies transmitted by feral dogs. While grazing in large herds, geladas are sometimes joined by wolves, which are more successful at hunting rodents in the presence of geladas than in their absence (J Mammal 2015; doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyu013). The geladas and wolves appear to be indifferent to one another. The rodents, likely accustomed to the geladas’ presence and feeling safer among them, leave their burrows and spend more time aboveground. Wolves benefit from this, as the rodents cannot predict wolf presence among the geladas. Whether the geladas themselves benefit from the wolves’ presence is unknown; what is known is that the wolves are unable to deter two monkey predators: leopards (Panthera pardus) and feral dogs (Canis familiaris). Until additional observations confirm otherwise, the wolf–gelada relationship is likely a commensal one. The wolves specialize in hunting rodents, but occasionally kill antelope calves, and potentially also baby geladas. On approaching a group of geladas (composed of both adults and young), wolves seemingly ignore the monkeys, which appear to be alert but neither flee nor attack the wolves. In contrast, the appearance of feral dogs, despite their resemblance to wolves, makes the geladas flee in panic. It seems more profitable for wolves not to hunt young geladas, closely guarded by the family group, and thus gain the latter's tolerance while successfully preying upon rodents among them. Is the commensalism between a wolf and a troop of geladas a learned behavior that is passed down from generation to generation?
