Golden Jackal

GS 3 – Environment – Species

Contect: Environmentalists have observed that golden jackals appear to be adapting to their changing environments, showing less fear of humans and adjusting their behaviours accordingly.

• The golden jackal, also known as the common jackal, is a medium-sized canid resembling a wolf.
• While generally nocturnal in human-inhabited areas, golden jackals may exhibit some diurnal behavior in less disturbed regions.
• These animals typically dig caverns for shelter or use crevices in rocks or abandoned burrows created by other animals.
• They are monogamous, forming lifelong pair bonds.

Diet:

• Golden jackals are omnivores and are opportunistic foragers with a diverse diet, consuming both plant and animal matter.

Habitat:

• They are commonly found in valleys, riverbanks, canals, lakes, and seashores, but are less abundant in foothills and low mountains.

Distribution:

• Golden jackals are spread across North and East Africa, Southeastern Europe, and South Asia to Burma.
• In India, they are widely distributed, from the Himalayan foothills to the Western Ghats.

Conservation Status:

• IUCN: Least Concern
• CITES: Appendix III
• Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I

Threats:

• Habitat loss due to encroachment and poor land management practices pose significant threats to their survival.