https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2024-11-22-ethiopian-wolves-reported-feed-nectar-first-time Skip to main content Home Home * Admissions + Undergraduate + Graduate + Continuing education * Research + Engage with us + Support for researchers + Using research to engage + Recognition * News & Events + Events + Features + Oxford profiles + Oxford and coronavirus + Filming in Oxford + Find An Expert * About + Organisation + Vice-Chancellor + Facts and figures + Oxford people + Oxford Access + International Oxford + Building Our Future + Jobs + Niu Jin Da Xue Search [ ] [Search] News & Events * Events + Regular events in the University Year + University Events Office * Features * Oxford profiles * Oxford and coronavirus * Filming in Oxford * Find An Expert An orange wolf-like animal stretches its head upwards to lick the flowers of an Ethiopian red hot poker plant. The plant has a long slender stem with a tube-like flowerhead at the end made up of many orange and yellow tubular flowers. An Ethiopian wolf (Canis simensis) feeding amongst the blooming Ethiopian red hot poker flowers (Kniphofia foliosa). (c) Adrien Lesaffre. Published 22 Nov 2024 Share This Tweet Share on Facebook Share on LinkedIn Share on Reddit HomeNewsEthiopian wolves reported to feed on nectar for the first time Ethiopian wolves reported to feed on nectar for the first time BiodiversityBiologyEnvironmentMathematical, Physical and Life SciencesResearch New findings, published in the journal Ecology, describe a previously undocumented behaviour of Ethiopian wolves (Canis simensis). For the first time, these have been reported to feed on the nectar of Ethiopian red hot poker flowers (Kniphofia foliosa) - the first large carnivore species ever to be documented feeding on nectar. In doing so, the wolves may act as pollinators, perhaps the first known plant-pollinator interaction involving a large carnivore. The study was carried out by researchers at the Ethiopian Wolf Conservation Programme (EWCP), a partnership between the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU) at the University of Oxford, the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority (EWCA), and Dinkenesh Ethiopia. They observed that some individual wolves would visit as many as 30 blooms in a single trip, with multiple wolves from different packs exploiting this resource. There was also some evidence of social learning, with juveniles being brought to the flower fields along with adults. An orange wolf-like animal stretches its head upwards to lick the flowers of an Ethiopian red hot poker plant. The plant has a long slender stem with a tube-like flowerhead at the end made up of many orange and yellow tubular flowers.An Ethiopian wolf (Canis simensis) licks nectar from the Ethiopian red hot poker flower (Kniphofia foliosa). (c) Adrien Lesaffre. As they foraged, the wolves' muzzles become covered in pollen, which they could potentially transfer from flower to flower as they feed. This novel behaviour is perhaps the first known plant-pollinator interaction involving a large predator, as well as the only large meat-eating predator ever to be observed feeding on nectar. Dr Sandra Lai, EWCP Senior Scientist based at the University of Oxford, and lead author on the new study, said: "These findings highlight just how much we still have to learn about one of the world's most-threatened carnivores. It also demonstrates the complexity of interactions between different species living on the beautiful Roof of Africa. This extremely unique and biodiverse ecosystem remains under threat from habitat loss and fragmentation." Professor Claudio Sillero, EWCP founder and director based at the University of Oxford, describes seeing this behaviour: "I first became aware of the nectar of the Ethiopian red hot poker when I saw children of shepherds in the Bale Mountains licking the flowers. In no time, I had a taste of it myself - the nectar was pleasantly sweet. When I later saw the wolves doing the same, I knew they were enjoying themselves, tapping into this unusual source of energy. I am chuffed that we have now reported this behaviour as being commonplace among Ethiopian wolves and explored its ecological significance." The Ethiopian wolf is the rarest wild canid species in the world, and Africa's most threatened carnivore. Found only in the Ethiopian highlands, fewer than 500 individuals survive, in 99 packs restricted to 6 Afroalpine enclaves. EWCP is the longest-running conservation programme in Ethiopia, aiming to safeguard the future of natural habitats for the benefit of wildlife and people in the highlands of Ethiopia. The study 'Canids as pollinators? Nectar foraging by Ethiopian wolves may contribute to the pollination of Kniphofia foliosa' has been published in Ecology. With grateful thanks to Adrien Lesaffre for providing the photographs. Subscribe to News Latest * Novo Nordisk - Oxford Fellowship ProgrammeNovo Nordisk announces PS18.5 million of funding for a further 20 Postdoctoral Fellows 2 Dec 2024 * Lord Hague of RichmondLord Hague of Richmond elected as new Chancellor of Oxford University 27 Nov 2024 * Image depicts the Moderator and Panellists in discussion Sheldonian Series launches with an energetic and open exchange of views on 'Democracy' 26 Nov 2024 * The seed capsule of a squirting cucumber has detached from the plant and is suspended in midair. The seeds are being ejected in a jet of mucilage. New study reveals the explosive secret of the squirting cucumber 26 Nov 2024 * An orange wolf-like animal stretches its head upwards to lick the flowers of an Ethiopian red hot poker plant. The plant has a long slender stem with a tube-like flowerhead at the end made up of many orange and yellow tubular flowers.Ethiopian wolves reported to feed on nectar for the first time 22 Nov 2024 More in Oxford A herd of African elephants approaches across a Savannah landscape. New study confirms beehive fences are highly effective in reducing human-elephant conflict 30 Oct 2024 Members of the Druid Peak Pack in Yellowstone National Park engage in a game of chase. The gray colored wolf on the left represents the homozygous gray phenotype, while the black colored wolf on the right represents the K-locus black phenotype. 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