The gelada baboon -- sometimes known as the bleeding heart monkey for the red structure on its chest -- moves around the Simien mountains in groups of 800 or more. Its harem structure is one of the most complicated in the animal kingdom.
The gelada baboon -- sometimes known as the bleeding heart monkey for the red structure on its chest -- moves around the Simien mountains in groups of 800 or more. Its harem structure is one of the most complicated in the animal kingdom.
Brice Laine/CNN
Ethiopia's mountain goat -- aalia ibex -- is found exclusively at Simien Mountain National Park.
Ethiopia's mountain goat -- aalia ibex -- is found exclusively at Simien Mountain National Park.
Rod Waddington
Endemic to the Simien Mountain National Park, the walia ibex population is six times larger than it was 20 years ago thanks to the expansion of the park.
Endemic to the Simien Mountain National Park, the walia ibex population is six times larger than it was 20 years ago thanks to the expansion of the park.
Lip Kee Yap
Massive erosion over the years on the Ethiopian plateau has created one of the most spectacular landscapes in the world. The Simien National Park is dotted with jagged mountain peaks, deep valleys and sharp precipices that drop nearly 5,000 feet.
Massive erosion over the years on the Ethiopian plateau has created one of the most spectacular landscapes in the world. The Simien National Park is dotted with jagged mountain peaks, deep valleys and sharp precipices that drop nearly 5,000 feet.
Veronique DURRUTY/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images
A local family take a rest on the rock-strewn plateaus of Simien Mountain National Park. This breathtaking expanse of green mountains extends across 256 square miles.
A local family take a rest on the rock-strewn plateaus of Simien Mountain National Park. This breathtaking expanse of green mountains extends across 256 square miles.
Matthew Goulding
Simien Mountain National Park boasts Ethiopia's highest mountain peak: the 14,700-foot-tall Ras Dashen. A trek not for the faint-hearted.
Simien Mountain National Park boasts Ethiopia's highest mountain peak: the 14,700-foot-tall Ras Dashen. A trek not for the faint-hearted.
Davy Demaline
The elusive Ethiopian wolf can live at heights above 13,000 feet. <br />
The elusive Ethiopian wolf can live at heights above 13,000 feet.
Laika Ac
While other wolves eat sheep, the Ethiopian wolf is unique in that it feeds on rats.
While other wolves eat sheep, the Ethiopian wolf is unique in that it feeds on rats.
Rod Waddington
There are now around 6,000 people working in the local tourism industry -- providing services such as guided tours, local food, souvenirs and car rental.
There are now around 6,000 people working in the local tourism industry -- providing services such as guided tours, local food, souvenirs and car rental.
SarahTz
Wildlife and natural beauty at the Simien Mountain National Park is helping support future generations of the communities that live up in the Ethiopian highlands.
Wildlife and natural beauty at the Simien Mountain National Park is helping support future generations of the communities that live up in the Ethiopian highlands.
Brice Laine/CNN