Long since native

Jackal pack detected in Eastern Styria

This pack of five animals fell into the photo trap this week in the Hartberg-Fürstenfeld district.(Bild: Steirische Jägerschaft)

The golden jackal has conquered Styria: there have already been 112 detections of the predator in our province since 2022. Now more animals have been spotted by a wildlife camera.

The golden jackal obviously feels at home in Styria - unlike wolves, lynxes or bears, this species is regularly detected here and almost everywhere. According to the Styrian Hunters' Association, 112 clear detections and successful reproduction have already been documented using photo traps and DNA evidence since 2022.

This jackal in a forest in Eastern Styria is almost unrecognizable.(Bild: Steirische Jägerschaft)

Just this week, wildlife camera footage taken by a hunter in the Hartberg-Fürstenfeld district shows an entire jackal pack consisting of five animals. In Bad Mitterndorf, two animals fell into the photo trap.

This jackal duo was spotted in Bad Mitterndorf.(Bild: Steirische Jägerschaft)

According to EU directives, the golden jackal may be hunted if its conservation status is "favorable" - this is the case in Styria. The hunting season is set from October 1 to March 15. Since it came into force in the 20/21 hunting season, a total of 86 specimens have been shot. "As efficient predators, golden jackals also hunt in packs, which makes things tight for some species. Targeted hunting can prevent excessive local concentrations," says Provincial Hunting Master Franz Mayr-Melnhof-Saurau.