Gold jackals conquer Germany: a new resident in our forests!

Gold jackals conquer Germany: a new resident in our forests!

The observation of a gold jackal in the southern Ringgau causes excitement among nature lovers and animal lovers in Germany. Klaus Andreas, an experienced natural observer, discovered a dog -like animal in mid -January 2025 that lay between the size of a shepherd dog and a fox. The animal showed a slim shape, pointed ears and a short, bushy rod and his fur was yellowish with dark games. Dr. Jörg Brauneis, a specialist in this area, suspects that it is a gold jackal (Canis Aureus) that has shown a remarkable spread in Germany in recent years. According to the reporting of hna this is not the first time that this species is sighted in Germany; The first proof was documented in Hesse in 2015.

gold jackals are primarily twilight and nocturnal and inhabit a wide variety of habitats, from forests to marginal areas of human settlements. They originally come from Hinterindia and are now also widespread in large parts of Europe. Its distribution to the Balkans, Austria and northern Italy has expanded, especially since the mid -1980s. The first gold jackal in Brandenburg was detected in 1997, and by 2020 there were a total of 25 documented sightings in Germany. In 2020, the first female specimen was registered in Lower Saxony, followed by reproductive success in 2021, confirmed by genetic analyzes and photographic evidence of a puppy.

way of life of the gold jackal

gold jackals live in small family associations and have a great adaptability. Their food spectrum is wide: they feed on small animals, AAS, waste and plant-based food. According to BUND they are generalists who also hunt reptiles, amphibians and birds. Occasionally farm animals such as sheep are also captured, but this rarely occurs. These animals show a pronounced hunting behavior that can vary - they hunt either alone, in pairs or in small groups. Their social structures are stable, with couples often stay together for a lifetime.

The mating season of the gold jackal takes place between January and February, the young animals are born between the end of April and early May. A female usually gives birth to three to five puppies. They stay with the mother for about six to eight weeks before they start becoming independent. With regard to their lifespan, gold jackals will be eight to nine years old.

challenges in Germany

Despite the positive trend in population development, there are uncertainties regarding a permanent settlement of the gold jackals, especially in Northern Hesse. In areas that are also inhabited by wolves, the survival of the gold jackal is at risk because wolves are native to several forest areas of the Werra-Meißner district. The federal government estimates that the number of gold jackals in Germany may be underestimated. It is imperative to introduce monitoring measures in order to observe and support the spread and reproduction success of the species.

gold jackals represent a minimal threat to people. They are shy and avoid contact with people, which makes them interesting and at the same time harmless roommates in our forests. Their protection status is classified as "safe" in the international red list of IUCN, but they are taken into account in some federal states, such as Lower Saxony, in hunting law.