The golden jackal, a species increasingly seen across Europe after years of rapid expansion, was first detected in the Iberian Peninsula in Álava. This finding raises the possibility that a stable core population may be establishing itself, presenting a new competitor to the local wolf population in the country.
Officials confirmed that the sample was found within Álava, discovered by chance after a collision incident on the road. The event underscores the need to monitor unusual wildlife incursions and understand their implications for native fauna.
According to a report from the Álava State Assembly, a crushed specimen was located on January 8 along the A-1 national highway at kilometer 379, near Agurain and Salvatierra. An autopsy conducted at the Martioda Wildlife Recovery Center in Álava indicated that the animal did not match Iberian wolves in size or appearance, and the analysis did not suggest any dog-wolf crossbreeding.
The Martioda Improvement Center also noted the possibility that the animal could be a coyote, but given its novelty, the case required formal documentation to establish its identity and origin.
Did not come from a captive environment
The remains, including stomach contents and fur, suggested that the animal lived in the wild rather than captivity. To confirm, canine genetic analysis was pursued, with ear and fur samples collected and sent to the Department of Zoology at the Faculty of Pharmacy in Vitoria, part of the University of the Basque Country.
The DNA results identified the specimen as a puppy golden jackal, aligning with species expectations for this region as the animal expands its range across Europe.
The golden jackal is a medium-sized carnivore native to southern Eurasia and parts of northern Africa. After a mid-20th century decline, the species gradually recovered and began recolonizing former habitats, often expanding into new areas as well.
The Álava State Council explained that the species is advancing rapidly across the continent, a pattern observed with several large carnivores as ecosystems adjust to changing dynamics and habitat availability.
Between fox and wolf but omnivore
Golden jackals tend to thrive in landscapes shaped by human activity. Their opportunistic diet and scavenger habits, which include small mammals, fruits, carrion, and even occasionally discarded food, help them stay inconspicuous. This has earned the nickname ghost of the forests in some circles.
Smaller than wolves and with a diet that blends fox-like foraging with wolf-like territory habits, jackals occupy an ecological niche between these two species. In some assessments, their spread is seen as a natural response to wolf declines in parts of Europe, potentially creating openings for jackal establishment and subsequent ecological interactions.
Experts now strive to understand the consequences of this invasive presence on the Iberian Peninsula. Questions focus on whether detections remain isolated or reflect a broader, more cohesive population moving through the region.
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Environmental authorities emphasize the importance of ongoing surveillance to track new sightings and genetic evidence to map dispersal patterns and potential long-term effects on local ecosystems.
Note: contact details of the environment department have been archived for official inquiries and continued monitoring by wildlife authorities instead of public-facing channels.