泛滥之谜 16

Further up on the highland dome above Lake Tana

The land is similarly dry and barren.

Yet if the Blue Nile is responsible for the great flood

It must surely start somewhere up here.

These mountains might appear lifeless

But look closely and they are alive with rodents.

These moorlands support one of the highest densities of rodents on Earth

Up to three tonnes of them in every square kilometre

Something that has not gone unnoticed by other local residents.

The Ethiopian Wolf, also known as the Red Jackal, is a master rat-catcher.

Normally.

The parched vegetation gives very little cover to the rodents

They have to risk it out in the open

But it's not much good at concealing a wolf either.

The rodents aren't necessarily safe underground.

The wolf has acute hearing, amazingly sensitive smell

And a narrow, stabbing snout full of sharp teeth.

Danger's past, but they must always be on the alert.