Here's why:
* Limited Range: They are only found in the Ethiopian Highlands, making them highly vulnerable to habitat loss and fragmentation.
* Small Population: Their population is estimated at only around 500 individuals.
* Threats: They face numerous threats, including habitat loss due to agriculture and urbanization, competition with livestock, disease outbreaks, and climate change.
It's important to note that there are several other wolf subspecies and populations that are also critically endangered, such as the Red Wolf (Canis rufus) and the Mexican Wolf (Canis lupus baileyi).