After sightings in Germany and Austria, ecological organisations have reported that the golden jackal is also spreading in Switzerland. The news has been met with alarm among Swiss farmers, who fear yet another predator preying on their sheep and cattle.
Speaking to Nau.ch, David Gerke from the Wolf Switzerland association confirmed that an increasing number of golden jackals are being reported across the country this year. Having first been spotted in the cantons in 2011 and then from 2015 onwards, the Swiss wildlife and ecology organisation Kora Foundation now predicts that the species will soon make a permanent home in the alpine nation, likely in northern and lower altitude areas.
The jackal itself is quite dog-like in nature and looks a bit like a common fox. However, they tend to be longer-legged, and thinner but stronger than their more bushy-tailed cousins.
The Kora Foundation explained that the arrival of the golden jackal in Switzerland can be explained by two factors. First, the near-eradication of wolves in Europe in the 20th century created a food surplus for other species with the same diet, like the jackal. Second, since the jackal hates snow, climate change now allows the species to live in the alpine nation for much longer due to the milder weather.
The news of the jackals’ spread has been met with concern among farmers, with President of the Swiss Sheep Breeders’ Association Lukas Berger admitting he was “sceptical that there should now be room in Switzerland for the jackal, another predator." Amid "huge" problems with wolves in Switzerland, Berger said that the arrival of the jackal is an unwanted and unknown quantity.
In recent months, 12 jackal attacks on livestock have been reported in Austria - though in many cases it is unclear whether the jackal killed the animal or simply scavenged the meat. Nevertheless, the Kora Foundation wrote that "the golden jackal can kill animals up to the size of a deer. It cannot be ruled out that attacks could occur in Switzerland."
As it naturally immigrated to the country, the golden jackal is considered a native species of Switzerland and is protected as such. However, with two Austrian states already authorising culls of the animal, the Swiss government may also act to contain their spread.