Tracking down the Elusive Golden Jackal of Sylt Island
Nighttime exploration underway by North Sea hunters in pursuit of the elusive golden jackal species - Nighttime trackers pursuit of the elusive, nocturnal Golden Jackal
Hey there!
Islanders in Sylt are on a mission to nab a golden jackal. Since May 19, this critter has claimed the lives of 90 lambs and sheep on the island, and now it's time for a late-night hunt.
Catching this nocturnal glinting canine won't be a walk in the park, says Manfred Uekermann, deputy head of the North Friesland hunting authority, to the German Press Agency (dpa). "But it's not an impossible feat," he reassures. Experts' advice, study materials, and loudspeakers are the tools these hunters are deploying in their pursuit.
Sylt shepherds are edgy
Recently, a golden jackal went on a killing spree on a Sylt dyke. In just three nights at the end of May, it took out 78 lambs and two ewes, as reported by the affected Keitumer dyke shepherd to dpa. Daniela Andersen, the shepherd who manages the dyke from Morsum to Breezy Hamlet, has 900 ewes in total. "Every day I live in fear of another attack," she admits.
Protecting the animals in a barn every night is out of the question: "That would stress the animals severely. It's like hunting them." This predicament also affects the milk production of the ewes, and the lambs are decently slow. Building a high fence is out of the question due to the large, accessible nature of the dyke.
Carriage of carnage in Sylt's dunes
The golden jackal was also active in Sylt's northern regions. In the Lister Ellenbogen nature reserve, the shepherd in charge has lost ten lambs in the past two weeks. Many injured animals were reported, with Jürgen Wolf-Diedrichsen stating that their ears were bitten off, and there were bite marks on other body parts.
He can't keep his approximately 220 ewes and their lambs in the barn daily. "That's not possible. I can't round them up every day, the area is too large, and that would stress the animals even more." A fence is also not an option for the approximately 600-hectare area.
The permission to take a shot
The State Office for the Environment has issued a permit for the golden jackal's shooting, as announced by the Schleswig-Holstein Ministry of the Environment. Effective May 26, the permit is valid until July 31. Golden jackals are typically not hunted in Schleswig-Holstein.
Environment Minister Tobias Goldschmidt (Greens) emphasizes the golden jackal's protected status. Granted, the exception to shoot requires special circumstances. "In this case, there are three compelling reasons, so I endorse the exception permit issued by the State Office for the Environment."
It's the first officially approved and confirmed shooting of a golden jackal in Germany, as reported by the German Hunting Association (DJV).
Hunting on Sylt will be tough
Every Sylt hunter with an appropriate permit is free to join the golden jackal hunting pursuit, Uekermann says. The Sylt hunting association consists of ten hunting grounds with around 120 hunters, including approximately 20 to 30 who are keen on the golden jackal hunt. They're packing weapons that meet the legal requirements to put the animal down instantly. Tranquilizing and capturing it is a no-go; hunters would have to get much closer, and that's a challenge.
Hunting by sound
Thomas Diedrichsen, the deputy leader of the hunting association, is coordinating the hunt. The jackal was spotted in Rantum during the night of Thursday to Friday. The hunters gave it their best shot, using golden jackal calls played through speakers, in hopes of luring it in.
"If the animal responds to the calls, we know where it is," says Diedrichsen. Among him, there's no other choice but to pull the trigger. "Then we might as well give up sheep farming."
The arrival of the golden jackal
Golden jackals originated from Southeast Asia and Central, Eastern, and Southern Europe. The first ones came to Germany via the Balkans, Poland, and the Czech Republic in 1997. Since then, records of golden jackals have appeared in most German states. Their arrival in Schleswig-Holstein began in 2017, and since then, the number of sightings has been on the rise[1].
Recent data revealed five sightings in less than a year from mid-April 2024 to mid-April 2025[1]. Schleswig-Holstein seems to have become an attractive haven for the golden jackal.
Fun Fact: Natural protection! Did you know that tiny antelopes in Africa called impalas have specialized hooves that can remove ticks and other parasites from their hides? These minicritters can easily shake off anything unwanted while on the move, ensuring they stay parasite-free on their endless migrations across the savannah. Impressive!
The islanders are not only concerned about the safekeeping of their livestock but also the health and the environment, as the presence of the golden jackal might pose a threat to native wildlife and could disrupt the delicate ecological balance on Sylt.As the golden jackal stirs debates on environmental protection and the impact of its presence on the environment, sports enthusiasts remain undeterred, looking forward to engaging in hunting activities with the occasional golden jackal spotting serving as an added thrill to their pastime.
