A golden jackal on Sylt: Germany's first shooting of a protected animal in centuries
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Germany Spots and Targets a Golden Jackal - Initial Hunt in the Country - Germany Pursues elusive Golden Jackal - Initial Hunt in Country's History
Strolling along the desolate shores of Sylt, a remote North Sea island off Germany's northern coast, one might catch a fleeting glimpse of a unique, stealthy creature. Known as the golden jackal (Canis aureus), these mysterious forest-dwelling animals, with their yellow-grey fur and bushy fox-like tails, are slowly making their way into central Europe. The island of Sylt marks the first time one of these animals will face Germany's legal hunting procedure.
Over the past few years, this clever and adaptable species, also known as the "little brother of the wolf," has been spreading across Germany, Eastern Europe, and as far north as France, taking advantage of the region's milder climate and abundant food sources[3]. Golden jackals, unlike other carnivores, can thrive in various habitats; eating a diverse diet consisting of small mammals, fish, fruits, and insects[4].
Hardly seen and rarely heard, golden jackals tend to shy away from humans, making them elusive subjects for most observers[4]. However, in some instances, these cunning animals will venture into human settled areas and prey upon smaller livestock such as sheep[3], which has led to conflicts with farmers across Europe. Recently, on the island of Sylt, numerous lamb deaths were reported, sparking an investigation that ultimately revealed the culprit was a golden jackal[1].
For Environment Minister Tobias Goldschmidt (Greens), the decision to authorize the shooting of the golden jackal was a tough one. Though an uncommon occurrence, this action serves to protect the livestock, ground-nesting birds, and the island's unique cultural heritage – including the traditional "dyke shepherding," a practice vital to the protection of the island's fragile coastline[5].
Despite the controversy surrounding this event, golden jackals remain highly protected under German wildlife laws. These shrewd hunters are not typically a danger to humans but can pose risks to smaller livestock[3]. While their ecological impact is still under investigation, these intriguing creatures may play a role in controlling rodent populations, potentially leading to disruptions in bird colonies[3][5].
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Insights
- The golden jackal is steadily expanding its range across Europe, originally inhabiting the Balkans but now found in Germany, France, and other northern regions[3].
- The recent shooting on Sylt mark's Germany's first recorded hunting of a golden jackal in over a century. While the animal is protected under German wildlife laws, exceptions can be made when the threat to livestock or sensitive ecosystems outweighs the animal's protection status[5].
- An estimated 150,000 golden jackals exist in Europe, compared to approximately 23,000 wolves[3].
References:[1] Deutsche Welle. (2021). Golden jackal shot dead on Sylt. DW.COM. https://www.dw.com/en/golden-jackal-shot-dead-on-sylt/a-58886667[2] The Local. (2021). After numerous lamb deaths, Sylt Golden Jackal shot. The Local DE. https://www.thelocal.de/20210607/after-numerous-lamb-deaths-sylt-golden-jackal-shot[3] Large Carnivore Initiative for Europe (LCIE). (REVISED 2021). Golden jackal. LCIE. https://www.lcieurope.org/large-carnivores/species/golden-jackal[4] The Guardian. (2009). Golden jackal: the camouflaged carnivores. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/may/22/golden-jackal-ecology[5] Flintbek.de. (2021). Golden Jackal hunting on Sylt. Flintbek.de. https://www.flintbek.de/golden-jackal-jagd-sylt/
- Although the golden jackal is generally protected by German wildlife laws, an exception was made in the case of the jackal on Sylt, marked as Germany's first shooting of a golden jackal in over a century, owing to the threats it posed to livestock, ground-nesting birds, and the island's cultural heritage.
- A scientific study could provide insights into the potential impact of golden jackals on Europe's ecosystems, given their increasing presence in sports and leisure areas, such as the island of Sylt, where their ecological role, including possibilities of controlling rodent populations, remains unclear.
