Golden Jackal

A recent citizen science study has estimated that Kerala is home to a population of approximately 20,000 to 30,000 Golden Jackals. This study highlights the importance of citizen involvement in wildlife monitoring and the value of collective efforts in understanding the distribution and conservation status of species.

About Golden Jackals

• Scientific Name: Canis aureus

• Common Name: Golden Jackal (also known as the Common Jackal)

• Physical Description: The Golden Jackal is a medium-sized canid resembling a wolf. It has a sleek golden-brown coat, which is where it gets its name. It has pointed ears, a bushy tail, and a keen sense of smell.

Behavior and Lifestyle

• Activity: Golden Jackals are primarily nocturnal in areas where humans are present, helping them avoid human activity. In more remote areas, they can also be partly diurnal.

• Shelter: These animals are known for their adaptable nature when it comes to shelter. They either dig their own burrows or take refuge in natural caves, crevices in rocks, or abandoned burrows of other animals.

• Social Structure: Golden Jackals are monogamous and typically live in mated pairs. They form tight-knit family units and may even work together to hunt or protect their territory.

Diet and Feeding Habits

• Omnivorous Diet: Golden Jackals are opportunistic foragers, which means they will eat whatever is available to them. They have an omnivorous diet, consisting of:

  • Small mammals like rodents and rabbits

  • Birds

  • Fruits and berries

  • Insects

  • Carrion (dead animals)

Habitat and Distribution

• Preferred Habitat: Golden Jackals thrive in a variety of habitats, but they are most commonly found in valleys, along rivers, tributaries, canals, lakes, and even seashores. They are rare in the foothills and low mountains.

• Geographical Range: Their distribution spans across North and East Africa, Southeastern Europe, and South Asia, extending all the way to Burma.

  • In India, the Golden Jackal is widely distributed, from the Himalayan foothills to the Western Ghats, and throughout the Deccan Plateau.

Conservation Status

• IUCN: Least Concern

  • The Golden Jackal is not currently at risk of extinction and is classified as "Least Concern" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

• CITES: Appendix III

  • While not threatened globally, the species is listed under Appendix III of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species), which means that international trade is monitored and regulated.

• Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I

  • The Golden Jackal is listed under Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, which provides it with a high level of protection from poaching and trade.