​golden jackal | Canis aureus

Golden jackal or Indian jackal is the most widespread wild canid in the Indian sub-continent. Jackals are generalists that inhabit a wide range of habitats, from dense forests to urban cities. Although they are mostly scavengers, jackals occasionally hunt small- to medium-sized prey. 

Population Trend: stable
IUCN • least concern
CITES • appendix III
WLPA • schedule II

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• ID Features ​• 

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• Habitats ​• 

AGRICULTURE FIELDS

TEMPERATE FORESTS

SCRUB HABITATS

ROCKY OUTCROPS

TROPICAL DRY FORESTS

DRY OPEN HABITATS

TROPICAL WET FORESTS

URBAN SETTLEMENTS

PRODUCTION AGROFORESTS

RURAL SETTLEMENTS

RAVINES/ MOUNDS

WET GRASSLANDS

COASTAL/ MANGROVES

DRY GRASSLANDS

RIPARIAN/ WETLANDS

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• Distribution • 

Estimated occupancy of golden jackals across taluks/tehsils in India

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• Score card •

Conservation score: 69 | Grade: B

Golden jackal populations are likely stable in India. But they are threatened by road-related mortality, competition with and disease-risk from free-ranging/domestic dogs, and poaching for illegal trade of body parts.

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IMAGE CREDITS | COVER IMAGE: SANTOSH DODDAGOUDAR | PROFILE: NILESH BHADLA