Camera snaps golden jackal in NRW – he looks like a wolf
Created: 12/16/2022, 7:10 am
By: Maximilian Gang
Caught: A golden jackal was photographed by a wildlife camera in Hamm.
© Thorsten Vosshage
The golden jackal is increasingly spreading in Central Europe.
In NRW, an animal was captured by a wildlife camera.
It is unclear where he is now.
Hamm – In recent years, more and more exotic animals have found their way to Europe and also to Germany.
For example, Chinese raccoon dogs, flamingos and raccoons have already spread in this country.
Another specimen of an unusual animal has now been spotted in NRW.
On November 15, a wildlife camera photographed a golden jackal on the north-eastern edge of the Ruhr area in Hamm.
The snapshot was taken in the vicinity of the Kerstheide landscape protection area, as stated in the message from the State Office for Nature, Environment and Consumer Protection of North Rhine-Westphalia (LANUV).
The whereabouts, origin and sex of the animal are not yet known.
Recently, the predator has spread to more and more Western and Northern European countries, reports 24RHEIN.
Golden jackal (Canis aureus) | |
|---|---|
Order | Predators (Carnivora) |
subordination | Canine (Caniformia) |
family | Dogs (Canidae) |
tribe | Real Dogs (Canini) |
genus | Wolf and Jackal (Canis) |
Life expectancy in the wild | about eight years |
Life expectancy in the wild | up to 14 years |
Gold jackal in NRW: sightings are increasing significantly
In the past few decades, the golden jackal has repeatedly been recorded in various countries.
The first documented evidence of the predator in Germany was only 25 years ago: the first specimen was documented in Brandenburg in 1997.
Since then there have been around 80 sightings of the wolf-like dog in Germany until 2021.
The special feature: around 60 of the proofs come from the year 2020, reports the
Jägermagazin
.
The first identification in NRW was only in late summer 2020. And the animal seems to feel at home in Central Europe.
Recently, it has also been proven that the nocturnal predator reproduces in Germany: Reproduction in Germany was only detected for the first time in 2021 – in Baden-Württemberg.
Since then, the evidence of reproduction has been increasing: In 2022, litters in Baden-Württemberg and Lower Saxony were already documented.
The animal has already covered long distances over generations to open up new habitats.
What does a golden jackal look like?
A golden jackal is a canine animal and resembles a fox in appearance.
Unlike the fox, however, the golden jackal has long legs and a stronger build.
At 20 to 30 centimetres, the tail is also shorter than that of the domestic fox.
He has shoulders about 50 centimeters high and is between 70 and 90 centimeters long and weighs around 10 kilograms.
Individual animals even weigh up to 15 kilograms.
The fur of the predator is golden brown, with white streaks on the lower part of the muzzle and neck.
Compared to its natural enemy - the wolf - the golden jackal is significantly smaller and more graceful and has a finer snout.
Golden jackal sighted in NRW - he is an omnivore
The carnivore's natural habitat originally included India, the Middle East and other Asian regions.
It now extends to many regions of Europe.
This is due, among other things, to the flexibility and good adaptability of the animal: "The golden jackal can be found both in a richly structured agricultural landscape and in wet areas with suitable conditions," as LANUV explains.
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One criterion in particular is important when choosing the habitat for the animal: the availability of food.
And golden jackals are true omnivores: the jackal's diet consists of "small to medium-sized mammals, but also amphibians, insects, fish, carrion and plant food," according to the LANUV.
Because of this, the golden jackal is able to adapt well to the seasonally available resources.
Is the golden jackal dangerous?
The golden jackal is a predator and therefore very dangerous for certain creatures - but humans are not one of them.
The animals are rather shy and avoid contact with humans.
Nevertheless, owners of farm animals should exercise caution: There are isolated reports from livestock owners that a golden jackal has killed one of their animals.
The jackal's hunt is similar to that of the fox: it pricks up its ears, arches its back, lifts its tail and jumps with its front paws on the prey, which it kills by shaking or a powerful bite.
Because animals are also part of the golden jackal's prey scheme, owners of livestock must be careful: "In North Rhine-Westphalia, no voluntary compensation payments are made for tears on livestock of the golden jackal," as the Lanuv explains.
However, preventive measures against wolves are also suitable for protection against the golden jackal.
The animal newcomer is not subject to strict species protection.
Questions about herd protection are answered by the central herd protection service hotline (02945 989 898) of the NRW Chamber of Agriculture.
(mg)
.