The wolves end up with a muzzle covered in pollen, raising the possibility that they could transport it between flowers and pollinate them in the process. If they did, the wolves would be among the first known large carnivores that facilitate plant reproduction in this way. Pollination is more commonly associated with flying creatures, Lai says; scientists are only beginning to consider ground-bound mammals such as mice, squirrels, monkeys, lemurs and civets as potential pollinators.
Biologists require intricate experiments to determine whether an animal really is pollinating a specific species of flower, however; they need to confirm not only that the creature can transport pollen but also that the interaction results in fruit. “It is not impossible, although it is quite challenging,” Lai says, adding that a first step toward understanding the relation between wolf and flower might be to catalog all the animal species that appear to visit the red hot pokers.
The wolves’ sweet treats also raise conservation questions, given the challenges that the region is facing. Both the wolves and the red hot pokers are native to Ethiopia’s afroalpine ecosystem, found only in mountains some 3,000 meters above sea level. But as the nation’s human population grows, people and livestock are venturing to higher altitudes. Meanwhile climate change is raising temperatures in these highland areas.
Atickem now wonders whether the nectar provides a crucial nutrient. If so, it would underscore the need to keep the flower on the landscape as the habitat shrinks and warms. “Even small amounts of nectar may be helpful,” Atickem says. “The conservation of these flowers may be very relevant for the Ethiopian wolf.” {read}