Golden jackal found in Poland
Species name: Canis aureus Linnaeus, 1758
Commen name: Golden jackal
Synonyms: -
Picture: Golden jackal photograph in Biebrzański Park Narodowy, Poland. Photogtaf: Adam Doliwka
Group: Mammals
Family: Canidae
Natural range: North and northeastern Africa, southeastern and central Europe, Asia Minor, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
Impact: The Golden jackal can carry diseases and parasites harmful to human health, including rabies. It is capable of producing fertile hybrids with wolves affecting the gene flow, and is a highly adaptable predator, being able to exploit many foodstuffs affecting the local food web.
Pathway of introduction: It is unclear how the species has arrived to Poland, but it could be by secondary introduction from one of the Baltic countries. However, it is also possible that the species naturally expands its range.
For more information please contact: Wojciech Solarz, Institute of Nature Conservation Polish Academy of Sciences Al. Mickiewicza 33 31-120 Kraków, Poland
Phone +48 12 370 35 39, +48 609 440 104