Animals in Ethiopia

Ethiopia’s wildlife thrives in highland plateaus, rift valleys, and arid savannas. From gelada baboons and Soemmerring’s gazelles to elephants, lions, and crocodiles, the country’s ecosystems are home to both iconic African species and rare endemics found nowhere else.

The lion, Ethiopia’s national animal, represents power and nobility. Historically linked to the Lion of Judah and imperial heritage, it holds cultural and symbolic importance across the country, especially the famed Ethiopian lion with its distinctive dark mane.

Ethiopia hosts a range of dangerous animals, from territorial elephants and lions to swift cheetahs and venomous black mambas. Crocodiles in rivers and hippos in lakes add further risk, especially in rural or protected areas where wildlife roams freely.

Among Ethiopia’s most iconic animals are the lion, elephant, cheetah, giraffe, leopard, hippo, crocodile, and black mamba. These species reflect the country’s dramatic terrain and its reputation as a crossroads of African wildlife and unique biodiversity.