engleski

Factors influencing golden jackal (Canis aureus) distribution in Croatia

Golden jackal (Canis aureus) is a medium sized carnivore, adoptable to wide range of habitats. The species inhabits East Africa, Southeast Europe, Middle East and South Asia. Opportunistic lifestyle enables jackals to quickly adapt to new habitats and spread their range, so during the last 50 years significant fluctuations in jackal population size and distribution was noted in Eastern and Central Europe. First records of jackals in Croatia date from 15th century, but scientific data about their distribution was not systematically collected. Based on data about hunting management jackals today inhabit about 30% of Croatian territory. In order to determine the current state and evaluate most significant factors that influance jackal distribution in Croatia, we analyzed data about jackal hunting management in Croatia from 2007 until 2010. Yearly reports from all hunting units were provided by Hunting Department, Ministry of Regional Development, Forestry and Water Management. They were used to create maps of areas where jackals were recorded and hunted. Maps of distribution enabled observation of potential factors that impact presence of jackals. Areas with the largest jackal population density are in the Mediterranean region - Pelješac Penninsula, Ravni kotari and Dalmatinska zagora. In the continental, north-east parts of Croatia jackals are dispersed and present in lower densities, while population was not recorded in the Alpine region. We also noticed correlation between jackal population density and availability of fresh water in Mediterranean region as well as minefield distribution in continental part of Croatia. Grey wolf (Canis lupus) and jackal distribution in Croatia significantly overlap in Dalmatinska Zagora and Ravni kotari region, while in the core areas of wolf distribution (Gorski kotar and Lika) jackals were not hunted.

Golden jackal; Canis aureus; distribution

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