The golden jackal is spreading in Germany. The predator, which is actually native to Asia, is up to mischief in this country and has already killed several sheep.
Stuttgart – The dangerous wild animals seem to be recapturing the forests in Germany. Wolves, among other things, have been sighted again and again in several areas for several years. Experts were already concerned because the animal is spreading more and more. Brown bears have also been discovered more frequently in Bavaria recently.
Now another wild animal is up to mischief in the woods with increasing frequency. Farmers fear the “predator from Asia”, which has now appeared with a first case in Bavaria, as reported by Merkur.de – the golden jackal. It is actually native to tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, but has been spreading further west and north for some time.
“Predator from Asia” is spreading: golden jackal has already killed several sheep
The golden jackal looks like a hybrid between a fox and a wolf, but is a closely related breed of canine to the wolf. It is slightly larger than a fox, but has a similar prey-catching behavior: the predator sneaks up on its prey and then surprises it by leaping at it. In various federal states there have already been cases in which sheep have been torn.
In April, a farmer from Huglfing (Weilheim-Schongau district) found three badly battered sheep spread out on his pasture. Almost three months later, after a DNA test, he was told that a golden jackal was probably responsible. The farmer had previously suspected a wolf. As early as 2020, sheep in North Rhine-Westphalia were attacked by the “predator from Asia”.
Golden jackal in Baden-Württemberg has bred
In Rastatt in Baden-Württemberg, too, a golden jackal has already fallen into a photo trap. Experts were also able to provide evidence of the first reproduction of the animal in Germany. Through the legacies of the animal, they found out that at least three golden jackals must be out and about in Baden-Württemberg. The wild animal now also feels at home in Germany.
In this country, the predator may not be hunted, as it is one of the species worthy of protection according to the European Union’s FFH nature conservation directive. In Austria, on the other hand, a hunting season was set for the golden jackal. It poses no danger to humans. However, given the first cases of dead sheep, farmers and local residents are increasingly afraid of further developments.
