The Golden Jackal from Pokljuka travels to Katschberg

Maj, a GPS-collared Golden Jackal from Slovenia arrived at a Ski-Resort in Austria

The Golden Jackal is roaming now 125 km away from the place where it was captured. The dispersion started at the beginning of November 2023.

News from Dr Hubert POTOČNIK,  

GOJAGE Slovenia

Research Group for Animal Ecology

Biotechnical Faculty, Department of Biology

Ljubljana Slovenia

"The Golden Jackal, named Maj by the hunter who helped in his catch, was collared on 21st of June 2023. It is a young male of one year and a half old. The jackal was captured as a bycatch within the LIFE Wolfalps EU project while capturing/collaring wolves in the wolf pack territory on Pokljuka Mt. plateau in the Julian Alps (1400 - 1600 m a.s.l.).  The largest straight line distance between the locations of his movement is about 120 km, if we don't account for relief altitude. However, after he held some temporary - transient territories he started with dispersal at the beginning of  November and traveled around 140 km (straight-line distances between points) which means more than 280 km on the relief.

Data: Dr. Hubert Potočnik, 30.11.2023

Pokljuka is a 20 km long and 18 km wide alpine plateau located in the Triglav National Park between Bled and Bohinj. It is covered with pine tree forests and pastures and spans at the altitude which ranges from 1100 to 1400 m above sea level. Source: finestayslovenia

At capture we obtained a genetic sample, however, we haven't analyzed it yet, but we expect it originates from the Panonnian population as the great majority of jackals in Slovenia (~95%).

The altitudes he crossed were about 1760m when crossing the Karawanken on entering Austria (14-15.11.) and the highest altitude at Millstatt Alps1950m he reached the ski-slope area at Katschberg and has been staying currently a bit south of it for now. "

Data: Dr. Hubert Potočnik, 30.11.2023

The Golden Jackal is now near a Ski Resort area, Katschberg, close to the village of Katschberghöhe which unites two Austrian federal states, Carinthia and Salzburg.

Katschberg, Austria

Dr Jennifer Hatlauf, a GOJAGE member from Austria and researcher at Die Universität für Bodenkultur Wien (BOKU) announced that this unique feature represents an opportunity to get more insight into the Golden Jackal behavior and it is not clear if this individual is only crossing the country or it establishes a permanent settlement in Austria: „Die Beobachtung dieses jungen männlichen Schakals von Slowenien nach Österreich bieteteinzigartige Einblicke in die Verhaltensmuster und Anpassungsfähigkeit der Art. Es bleibt jetzt zu beobachten, ob das Tier Österreich nur durchquert, oder es als seinen dauerhaften Lebensraum auswählt.“ Source: BOKU

For now, the Golden Jackal made a U-turn and stopped at the Ski-resort! Did he find a mate?

 A Golden Jackal male walked from Pokljuka to Katschberg in the last three weeks!

Potenzieller Lebensraum des Goldschakals (Canis aureus) in Österreich Status, Habitatfaktoren und Modellierungsansatz

Potential ecological area of the golden jackal (Canis aureus) in Austria. Status, habitat factors and modeling approach

Author: Jennifer HATLAUF

Contact: hatlauf(at)hotmail.com

Mrs. Jennifer Hatlauf presented her Master thesis (Masterarbeit) Zur Erlangung des akademischen Grades Master of Science (MSc) in Wildtierökologie und Wildtiermanagement (Wildlife Ecology and Management) an der Universität für Bodenkultur Wien (March 2015).

Her work (below you can see an abstract in English) is based on actual European concerns and uses an extensive Bibliography.

In recent years, the golden jackal (Canis aureus) is gaining attention in Central Europe and increased evidence confirms its distribution, also towards Austria. From the originiating countries of the Balkans it expands its area in a natural way (Schwarz, 2013). Previous studies show a large habitat plasticity, which leads to the question whether the golden jackal will be able to find permanantly suitable habitat in Austria.

As a result of a literature review this masterthesis presents the summary of identified factors that may play a crucial role in habitat selection of the golden jackal. Despite its generalistic nature, close to its opportunistic choice of food and its adaptability, it is possible to discern trends in its habitat selection: Its core habitat should therefore provide plentiful cover with varied structures. For example, shrub vegetation or small woods in close proximity to farm areas offer protection and adjacent fields provide sufficient food. In this regard, the intensity of agricultural management is essential. In some european study areas extensive agriculture is positively linked with golden jackal presence. In these regions the jackals are also known to regularly use arable land. However, the more intensive the agriculture, the less arable land is used by the golden jackal (Šálek et al., 2013a). Proximity to waterbodies presents another factor. A lot of records prove the presence of golden jackals near perennial rivers and wetlands (Banea et al., 2012). Likewise, lowland in general is observed as frequently used habitat and mountains with long, snowy winters might operate as barriers (Giannatos, 2004). Besides largely unexplored ecological contexts, these factors provide first indications for analysing golden jackal habitat. Based on a simple overlapping of mentioned factors in QGIS, three modeling approaches were developed. A digital elevation model, a waterbody and the CORINE Land Cover data set for Austria were used as database. Through equivalent combination of chosen factors and a generous assessment of the CORINE landuse classes, model one represents large areas of high habitat potential. This model points to the generalist nature of the golden jackal, but nevertheless, areas stand out. Model two focuses on waterbodies, especially on rivers. This is achieved through low valuation of high distances to streams, but hydraulic structures are not considered. With the complementary assessment of Ramsar wetlands, model three shows an even higher habitat potential of wetlands, than model two.

The resulting habitat potential analysis is a first estimate of possible habitat for the golden jackal in Austria and could introduce a basis of further research. The review shows that intensive research in Europe is still necessary to deepen the ecological knowledge of the golden jackal.