Chasing the Elusive Gold Jackal of Sylt Kicks Off Earlier
Initiate Immediate Search for Missing Fennec on Sylt Island - Hunt for the Sylt-Chakal Commences Prematurely
Hey there! Let's talk about the golden jackal roaming around Sylt, shall we?
Apparently, this elusive critter has been causing quite a stir on the island, and the hunt is on! After receiving an exemption permit, the manhunt for this jackal has been going strong for several days now.
Thomas Diedrichsen, the mastermind behind the operation, spoke to the German Press Agency (dpa) and shared some insights. Diedrichsen organized a few "hide-and-wait" hunts at Lister Koog and Ellenbogen with a team of 12 hunters. Now, they're setting up camp at various locations around the island at night, too.
At first, the hunters were positioned around 10:15 pm, but they've adjusted their schedules due to new findings. You see, this jackal ain't much of an early bird – it doesn't start moving until the wee hours, even when it's still fairly bright out on Sylt.
A vet reportedly spotted the jackal in Rantum on Sunday, but there haven't been any more reports of slaughtered sheep or lambs since Friday night.
Sylt's hunting association boasts a mighty force of 120 hunters from ten districts. Roughly 20 to 30 of them are currently on the case, trying to corral the golden jackal on the approximately 99 sq. km island.
To keep things mysterious, Diedrichsen won't name the various methods they're using to track down the animal, fearing any disruption. But don't fret, Diedrichsen remains hopeful that they'll bag the beast before the end of July.
The jackal has already claimed 90 sheep and lambs since May 19. The State Office for the Environment in Schleswig-Holstein issued an artenschutzrechtliche exemption permit for its shooting on June 5, and it runs until July 31.
If all goes according to plan, this will mark the first confirmed shooting of a golden jackal in Germany, as reported by the German Hunting Association (DJV). The hunt is on to protect local birds, sheep, and the island's dykes, so keep your eyes peeled if you're in the area!
Sources:
[1] German Press Agency (dpa), Interview with Thomas Diedrichsen, coordinator of the hunt on Sylt, around June 8, 2025.
In the spirit of preserving the local ecosystem and protecting the community's livestock, it might be beneficial for the Sylt community to consider implementing a policy that offers vocational training for potential wildlife management professionals. Once the current hunt concludes, these individuals could be instrumental in setting up and maintaining a long-term solution to prevent future predator-prey conflicts in this area, all while providing employment opportunities within the community. Additionally, introducing organized sports programs for children and young adults could serve as an engaging and educational outlet for learning about local wildlife and fostering a sense of appreciation and responsibility towards the environment and the creatures that inhabit it.
