Emergence of a new golden jackal (Canis aureus) population in the south of the Mykolaiv Oblast

Abstract

The jackal was recorded first in the studied region by a huntsman on 22.10.2008 nearby the Tylihul Estuary within the Berezanka raion. From December 2010 until December 2015 within the Ochakiv raion 43 individuals were found, among which 33 were shot. The increase in the number of animals alongside with observation of swarms including up to 9 individuals (8.11.2015) during the last few years indicate the emergence of a breeding population of the species. Most of the jackal’s records are related to the right bank of the Dnipro–Bug Estuary. In the Kinburn peninsula, the species was not revealed. According to the spatial distribution of data on the species’ records in different times, the jackal dispersed to the south of the Mykolaiv oblast through the Odessa oblast and further expansion from Romania. The species expansion is occurring against the background of existing of a relatively abundant and widespread wolf population (Canis lupus). A case of rabies disease in the jackal was discovered as well.

Keywords

• golden jackal
• expansion
• Mykolaiv oblast
• Ukraine