A majestic wild goat found nowhere else in the world except the Simien Mountains of Ethiopia. It’s a true high-altitude specialist, thriving on steep, rocky cliffs at elevations between 2,500 and 4,500 meters (8,200–14,800 feet). With its long, curving horns, powerful build, and striking reddish-brown coat, the Walia ibex looks like it stepped right out of an ancient mountain legend—and in many ways, it has.

One of the most distinctive features of the Walia ibex is its impressive horns. Males have massive, backward-curving horns that can grow over 110 centimeters (43 inches) long, with deep ridges along their length. These horns aren’t just for show—they’re used in dramatic dominance battles during the mating season, when males rear up and clash with resounding headbutts to establish rank. Females also have horns, but they’re much shorter and slimmer.

The Walia ibex is superbly adapted to life on dangerous, vertical terrain. Its split hooves and rough, rubbery pads act like climbing shoes, giving it grip on near-vertical rock faces where predators can’t follow. This skill lets it graze safely on high-altitude vegetation, feeding on grasses, herbs, and shrubs that grow in scattered mountain patches. These steep habitats also protect it from human disturbance—although historically, even the cliffs weren’t enough to shield it from hunting.

Socially, Walia ibexes live in small herds, with females and young forming groups, while mature males are often solitary or in small bachelor groups outside of the mating season. During the rut (mating season), males join female herds and compete for breeding rights, putting on an impressive show of horn-clashing and posturing.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Ethiopia

<300

Official estimate

VU

2020