Diet composition of the golden jackal in an area of intensive big game management

作者：Lanszki Jozsef^*; Kurys Anita; Heltai Miklos; Csanyi Sandor; Acs Kornel

来源：Annales Zoologici Fennici, 2015, 52(4): 243-255.

DOI：10.5735/086.052.0403

The dynamic spread of the golden jackal (Canis aureus) in Hungary results in human-carnivore conflicts. We presumed that in an area of intensive big-game management the jackal's diet would contain an increased proportion of ungulates (or their viscera). We collected and analysed the stomachs of 62 jackals during a period of two years. Viscera and carrion of wild ungulates were found to be the primary food of jackals in every season (wet weight: 55%), and in addition, consumption of adult wild boar and cervids proved remarkable. A deer calf was detected in one stomach. Adult jackals added a higher proportion of big game to their primary diet, while younger animals tended to consume plants and invertebrates to supplement their diet. There was no relevant detectable difference between the sexes. Our study did not find evidence for substantial damage to big-game populations caused by jackals.

• 出版日期2015-8