Goldschakal Upper Austria

The golden jackal is clearly smaller than the wolf and somewhat larger than the red fox. It stands roughly 44 to 50 centimetres at the shoulder and weighs between eight and sixteen kilograms. Compared with the fox it appears longer in the leg and more compact in the body, its tail is shorter and almost always shows a dark tip, whereas the fox brush typically ends pale or white. From the wolf it differs above all in its smaller size, its narrower and more elongated head, and its solitary or paired way of life rather than a pack structure. It prefers structurally rich, semi-open landscapes with wetlands, floodplains, reed belts and watercourse margins, avoiding both densely closed forests and entirely treeless open country.

Originally native to the Balkans, the golden jackal has been spreading towards central and northern Europe for decades. The first German record came from the Niederlausitz, followed by individual records in Bavaria, Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Hesse, Lower Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein, Baden-Württemberg, Saxony and Thuringia. The first confirmed reproduction in Germany was documented in the Schwarzwald-Baar district, with further evidence of pups soon afterwards in the Uelzen district. As enduring long-distance travellers these animals can cover hundreds of kilometres, with river systems, floodplains and wetlands serving as migration corridors. Across Europe the population is estimated at roughly 97,000 to 117,000 animals, and the number of sightings in the DACH region continues to rise.

As a species listed in Annex V of the Habitats Directive, the golden jackal is subject to the obligation of favourable conservation status and ongoing monitoring in every EU member state. Its hunting-law status across the DACH region nevertheless varies considerably, because wildlife law in Germany and Austria is set by the individual states. In some federal states the species has been included in the state hunting law, in part with year-round close seasons, in part with defined hunting periods, while in others it falls solely under nature-conservation law and is strictly protected. In Switzerland it is not listed among huntable species. Before identifying or shooting, please therefore verify the current status in your responsible federal state or canton, since the regulations are evolving continuously as the species expands.