Golden jackals conquer Baden-Württemberg: six newborn puppies spotted!

Golden jackals conquer Baden-Württemberg: six newborn puppies spotted!

An exciting event has gripped the wildlife of Baden-Württemberg: six puppies of the rare golden jackal were recently documented in the districts of Schwarzwald-Baar and Konstanz. According to information from insidebw.de This is the fifth year in a row that golden jackal offspring have been spotted in the region. These shy and nocturnal animals are difficult for humans to spot, but the evidence of their establishment in the area is clear.

The photos from camera traps show at least four puppies in the Schwarzwald-Baar district and two in the Konstanz district. This development not only shows that golden jackals feel at home in Germany, but also that the habitats they occupy meet the requirements of this species. Golden jackals originally come from southeastern Europe and Asia and have been spreading west and north in recent years - a process that began in Germany in 1997, when the first record was documented in Brandenburg.

The golden jackal: A stately representative of the dog world

The kindCanis aureus, better known as the golden jackal, is the only species of jackal found in Europe. This type of dog, related to the wolf, is generally valued for its golden-yellow coat color, but can vary regionally, such as in mountainous areas where gray can dominate. Golden jackals are slightly larger than foxes, weigh on average 8 to 10 kg and reach body lengths of 80 to 95 cm. Their distribution extends across a wide range, including the Balkans, where the largest populations are found, and more recently Hungary and Austria. Loud Wikipedia Several hundred golden jackals can be found in the Budapest area.

In Austria, golden jackals were first spotted in Styria in 1987, and the first breeding took place in the Neusiedler Lake area in 2007. In 2023, a golden jackal was even run over in Vienna, underlining the continued expansion trend of this species in Austria. They have now been detected in all federal states, with the exception of Vorarlberg.

behavior and lifestyle

In terms of behavior, golden jackals are primarily active at dusk and at night, showing a preference for dense vegetation areas. They live in family groups, which often consist of a pair of parents and their offspring. The diet of these animals is varied: they feed on small mammals, insects, berries and fruits, and occasionally larger animals such as deer. All of this makes the golden jackal an ecologically valuable part of its habitat by helping to eliminate waste. Loud m.wikipedia.org The golden jackal's way of life is characterized by monogamous reproduction and close communication through specific sounds, which underlines their social structures.

Reproduction in Europe typically occurs from January to March, with a gestation period of around 63 days. Litter sizes vary between one and six puppies. The small jackals are born weighing 200 to 250 g and nurse for up to eight weeks.

An interesting aspect is that golden jackals are strictly protected in Germany. They are not on the list of huntable species, which further helps maintain their population. However, there are reports of attacks on farm animals in various countries, which further fuels the discussion about the coexistence of humans and nature.

All of these factors together make the golden jackal a fascinating individual representative of the animal world in Europe, whose future remains of great interest to conservationists and animal lovers.