The elusive ibex in the Simien Mountains of Ethiopia

Nearly twenty years ago, it was our good fortune to spend time with our friends Michael and Maricella in Addis Ababa in the Horn of Africa. Ethiopia has been a Christian country since the 4^th century and evidence of this is seen in the many remarkable churches which we visited.  Better yet, we were able to embark on a trekking expedition to the Simien Mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Ethiopia is home to the world’s only population of Walia Iibex, which is only found living on the high, steep cliffs of the Simien Mountains. Would we get to see one?

A pious man studying his texts

A wizened face that suggests the wisdom of a lifetime

Fortunately, all our bags were transported by mules on our expedition

In the early miles, our progress was watched by curious onlookers

Some of us took full advantage of the mules

Given Ethiopia’s hostile relationship with Eritrea and our proximity to the border, our guide doubled as a guard

Along the way, we also saw the herbivorous Ethiopian Gelada, the last surviving species of ancient grazing primates (and no, its not a baboon)

The Gelada as described in 1835

The intrepid trekking group at our highest point

The Simien Mountains consisting of sequences of basaltic lava deposited on the Precambrian crystalline basement.

The Walia Ibex as described in 1835

When we reached the top of our climb, we still had not seen any ibex. Then, gazing across a wide ravine the guide excitedly pointed out one lone animal far, far away on the opposite cliff.  We searched and searched in vain but sadly failed to see what he was looking at. We wondered if his claims were for our benefit only; after all, his eyes were much older than ours.  

Months later, I printed my photos of the cliff and scrutinized them with a magnifying glass.

And guess what?

Obvious when you know what you are looking for