A COUNTY councillor has just returned from a trip helping a conservation project in Ethiopia for one of the most endangered species in the world.

Fiona McKenzie, Gloucestershire County Cllr for Northleach, spent eight days in the Ethiopian mountains this month helping local work to bring the Ethiopian wolf back from the brink of extinction.

The impact of population growth and the threat of rabies from domestic dogs accompanying people and livestock mean there are just 420 left in the world.

There are fewer Ethiopian wolves left than there are giant pandas, tigers or mountain gorillas.

"I like to support small projects and neglected areas by getting involved or donating as this really makes a difference," she said.

"I support a few different projects of this nature and I like to go and see them, if I can, to see what they do," she added.

"The conditions were bad and it was a very rough car journey – they had potholes the size of craters!"

Rabies is the biggest threat to the wolves and the conservation project has launched a vaccination programme aiming to vaccinate more than 6,000 dogs each year.

"Education is a big thing too and we want the local people to understand why the wolves are important and something they should be proud of," Cllr McKenzie added.

"From another point of view, people would want to see the wolves and it would give the country some income too.

"I have come back completely inspired and I want to see if I can raise some money. I saw four wolves while I was there and they are just the most stunning species," she added.

To learn more about the wolves or to donate to the project visit ethiopianwolf.org or wildcru.org/research or email ewcp@zoo.ox.ac.uk