Golden Jackal in Europe

EXPANSION OF GOLDEN JACKAL ACROSS EUROPE

Not just the wolf is making its comeback in Europe. His 'nephew', the golden jackal, is expanding through Europe as well. The golden jackal (Canis aureus), also known as common jackal, which is originally native to Bulgaria, Greece and Turkey, has recently been expanding to northern and western Europe. There even have been some observations of this canid in Germany.

The golden jackal, also known as ‘European coyote’, has so far been spotted in thirty European countries including ones without historic records of the species (see distribution map below). The drivers of this expansion are not yet fully understood. Results of studies on the expansion of jackals have recently been published in Biodiversity and Conservation.


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It is interesting, I am sure they won't cross the Pyrenees and compete with the Iberian lynx. It is nice to see these wonderful dogs expanding their area.

Roger wrote:

It is interesting, I am sure they won't cross the Pyrenees and compete with the Iberian lynx. It is nice to see these wonderful dogs expanding their area.

Yes, very interesting! I always thought all jackals were from Africa, but now they're on our doorstep Incredible! Now I have to keep an eye out for wild jackals besides wolves as well

Very interesting indeed! I heard from people in Croatia about the presence of jackals in this country but i thought it's only on the south part of Croatia. Now I see your map and this area is much more than that! Thank you for sharing this interesting info Julie!
Even more interesting for me to see they were observed also in Poland, wow!

Interesting! I didn't know there were jackals outside of Africa/Middle East and Asia, stupid me! But I don't think I ever heard of European ones before.

I wonder if their spread may be for reasons similar to that of coyotes here in the United States? Elimination of bigger/more aggressive competitors (wolves), with territory opening up for a more adaptable, generalist predator?
I wonder also if they will show some of the same changes coyotes show as they march across the continent- coyotes in the eastern US tend to be noticeably bigger and heavier coated (in the north) than their western counterparts- it is worth noting though that eastern coyotes mostly have wolf blood according to DNA testing, and sometimes dog. In the northeast US the percentage of wolf blood can be pretty high- and wolves have been eliminated there for centuries.
Also worth noting that the almost extinct red wolf subspecies of the southeastern US has been DNA tested to be a natural wolf/coyote hybrid population.

I think I may have read it before. But I'm glad this forum is educational :)

Very interesting :)

What beautyful, wonderful, interesting animals

Perhaps in my lifetime they will be seen in Denmark

Thankyou, Julie !!! It is a great day when one has learned something new

You're all very welcome, I'm really glad whenever I can share news like this I'll let you know whenever there are any developments regarding the golden jackal

I read that are more red points for Germany :)

And one has even been spotted in Denmark

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