Jackals Are Spreading Widely Across Europe

Jackals, which for several decades have been widely found in the Balkan Peninsula and along the Black Sea coast, are now rapidly expanding into new parts of Europe.

According to research published in the scientific journal “Nature Ecology & Evolution,” the predators’ potential range could eventually cover up to 75% of the European continent. This would be about six times larger than their previous distribution area.

Observations in different regions also confirm that the animals are moving into new territories. For example, in “Podi” National Park near the Czech village of Havraníky, a camera trap recorded two jackals crossing a grassy area for the first time. There have also been reports of jackals appearing in the Baltic and Scandinavian countries.

An international team of researchers carried out surveys at around 9,000 sites across Europe. Scientists played recordings of jackal howls and used the animals’ responses to confirm their presence.

The collected data were then compared with regional climate conditions and local landscape characteristics.