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.
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1 August 2015
Diet Composition of the Golden Jackal in an Area of Intensive Big Game Management
József Lanszki,
Anita Kurys,
Miklós Heltai,
Sándor Csányi,
Kornél Ács
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Annales Zoologici Fennici
Vol. 52 • No. 4
August 2015
Vol. 52 • No. 4
August 2015