Territorial male black-backed jackal on small stock farm
Monday, 18th April 2022
Ranging behaviour of a territorial male Black-Backed Jackal in a small stock farming area in the Southern Free State
Green, A., Avenant, N.L. Melville, H.I.A.S
Abstract
Damage causing predators are globally the most common source of human wildlife conflict and involve a broad spectrum of
taxa. Black-backed jackals are considered damage-causing mesopredators and are perceived to have a considerable effect on
live-stock production in South Africa. However, information regarding the ecology of black-backed jackals on South African
farmlands is limited. This study provides additional insight into jackal activity and space use patterns on small stock farmlands.
A single jackal was collared as part of a larger study investigating the spatial and temporal interactions between caracals
and jackals on a small stock farming area in the southern Free State, South Africa. The home range was estimated as 45.47
km2 (95% OUF AKDEc) with a core area of 1.59 km2 (50% OUF AKDEc). Activity varied throughout the night with peaks
occurring at 01:00, 05:00, and 18:00. The average velocity was estimated at 0.6 ± 1.0 km per hour with a maximum of 5.0 km
per hour. The mean distance travelled per day was 9.71 ± 2.45 km. The jackal displayed residency behaviour which represents
an insight into the movements and activity of a territorial male jackal in a farmland environment. Habitat selection analysis
suggests that the Besemkaree Koppies Shrubland was used for denning while the open Xhariep Karroid Grassland was the
jackal’s main foraging ground.