Peculiarities of the golden jackal’s (Сanis aureus L., 1758) behavior in its expansion zone in the South of Ukraine

• Main Author: M. V. Rozhenko
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. National Museum of Natural History 2017-12-01
• Series: Праці Теріологічної школи
• Subjects: golden jackal; Dnister; Danube; expansion; behavior; the South of Ukraine
• Online Access: http://terioshkola.org.ua/library/pts15-2017/pts15-24-rozhenko-jackal.pdf

The current state of the golden jackal’s population density, population dynamics and trends were investigated in the Lower Dnister area. The results of marking of jackals with color labels are discussed and the results of observations of marked animals are summarized. Obtained results indicate the conservatism of the species in relation to the area of residence. Communication characteristics of the formed groups were analyzed. Observations of the jackal’s behavior in conditions of the Dnister’s delta were conducted. Mutual migration routes of the jackal and the raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) were found. The ability of jackal to detect food over large distances was clarified. The use by the jackal of its residence area was investigated in details, and a scheme of trail allocation used by animals was built. The periodicity of settling in new territories and migration routes during expansion were revealed. The efficiency of using animals remains as baits were clarified in order to study some ethological characteristics of the species to test this approach in animal management in anthropogenic landscapes as well as in territories where the occurrence of jackals is not desirable.