The golden jackal, a species spreading across Europe for nearly twenty years, was first detected in the Iberian Peninsula, with Álava as the noted location. If this observation confirms a stable population core, it signals that a new competitor has entered the country alongside the wolf.
Local authorities have confirmed that the golden jackal specimen was found within Álava. The discovery occurred by chance after a traffic incident involving a collision on a road, not far from where the animal was located.
In a report from the Álava Assembly, authorities noted that a crushed carnivore was found on January 8 along the A-1 national highway, at kilometer 379 near Agurain Salvatierra. Subsequent autopsy work at the Martioda Wildlife Recovery Center in Álava concluded that the animal did not match Iberian wolves in size or appearance and showed no signs of a dog hybridization based on the analyses conducted.
The image of the animal and related materials were documented during the assessment process. The scientists at Martioda suggested the possibility that the specimen could be a coyote, but the novelty of the case required thorough documentation and verification.
Did not originate from captivity
What remains in the stomach, fur, and other fragments of the animal’s body also help confirm that the animal lived in the wild rather than being bred in captivity.
To finalize the identification, canine genetic analysis was performed, with ear and hair samples collected for testing. The analysis, carried out by the Department of Zoology at the Faculty of Pharmacy in Vitoria (University of the Basque Country), yielded results confirming the species as a golden jackal.
The golden jackal is a medium-sized carnivore found across southern Eurasia and northern Africa. After a decline in the 1960s, the species began to recover, recolonizing former ranges and expanding into new territories as well.
The presence of this jackal in Álava illustrates a broader pattern of rapid expansion across Europe, a phenomenon observed in several large carnivores in recent years. Authorities noted that this trend mirrors the swift, ongoing spread of the species across the continent.
The Álava State Council explained that the species is advancing quickly in Europe, reflecting ecological dynamics similar to other large carnivores moving into new areas.
Between fox and wolf
Golden jackal populations are often found in landscapes shaped by human activity. Its scavenging, opportunistic feeding on small mammals, and omnivorous diet allow it to blend into various environments and sometimes go unnoticed. This has led some observers to refer to the species as the “ghost of the forests.”
Compared with wolves, jackals are smaller and share an omnivorous diet more akin to foxes, consuming small animals, fruits, carrion, and even human refuse. Ecologically, they occupy a transitional space between wolves and foxes, a niche that complicates straightforward classifications.
Some researchers describe the current expansion as a natural response to declines in wolf populations across Europe, which may leave ecological room for jackals and related canids to fill the void. Ongoing investigations aim to determine the implications of the jackal’s arrival on the peninsula, particularly whether sightings remain isolated or represent a more established presence.
Researchers continue to study how this species interacts with native fauna and what those dynamics could mean for ecosystems, human activities, and wildlife management strategies across the region.
For further information on ongoing monitoring and research programs, authorities provide updates through the regional environment department, ensuring transparency and continued assessment of wildlife developments in Álava and neighboring areas.