Some people in the North and Western suburbs of Johannesburg were taken aback by a roaming jackal sighted at various locations, including Spekboom Park, Weltevredenpark, Boskruin, Greymont and Northcliff.
How did a jackal get there?
The answer is mind- boggling.
Dirk Engelbrecht, CEO and co-founder of Wild Serve, said “as with many other animals, especially territorial ones, they have lived in the Northern and Western parts of Johannesburg, leading into Muldersdrift, the Cradle and such places, for millions of years.”
When development started, the animals either stayed or were temporarily pushed out, but they eventually come back, because that is the area they are imprinted to, where they have survived, and scent-marked the area. To them, that is their territory.
Engelbrecht said some areas such as Jackal’s Creek for example, are built in a way that gives them sanctuary.
The construction of nearby Cosmo City and Zandspruit, has squashed these animals into the Valley where they naturally occurred.
The Zandspruit area is plaqued by multiple challenges, threatening these animals such as pollution, snares and hunting with dogs.
When in the area, jackals have their prey killed or they end up dead.
“I have collected the carcasses myself.”
He said this has forced the Jackals to move into the AH (Agricultural land) for safety and lack of food.
People in Jackal’s Creek are protective and know where their derns are.
The individual spotted by residents last week, might have come from Northriding AH.
Once a year, a few Jackals migrate when they reach maturity, at a year old.
Males leave before reaching a year old and females, at just over a year old, but might stay with their mother for a bit longer.
So there’s always an animal leaving, going through the Green Belt.
If there’s enough food in the AH, they will stay there, if there isn’t, they will go further and further out, to go look for food.
They move to find own territory and mate, which generally happens in a North Easterly direction.
They go through the corridor from Northriding AH through to Ruimsig, which connects residential areas and plots.
Engelbrecht said it’s unusual to head to Northcliff, but historical behaviour might have led them there, where the individual instinctively traveled that way.
“Usually, from Allensnek, they move in a northwestern direction.
They go foraging and will then return.
They leave late evening and come back in the early morning, which is why most people don’t see them.”
They are descreet and shy animals, they do not cause conflict, even when stigmatized and chased down by security companies.
They end up in unusual areas when distracted, they then deviate from the route they are trying to take, to end up escaping into a Park. They follow that Park, might stop to forage there and continue along that route.
“This guy’s gone under the Highway, close to the Green belt, to Fairlands, and connected areas, Greymont.
They are not a threat to people. They won’t attack pets.
They avoid people’s gardens, prefer conservancy areas.
If they end up in a townhouse complex, they saw an open gate and went through it.
It’s not safe to chase them with cars, it’s rather better to leave them.”
People have suggested darting him.
Engelbrecht said it’s a difficult task, reserved for wildlife vets only.
The heart rate of the animal and other factors must be considered carefully.
“If it’s a wild animal, treat it with caution and not fear, it’s reassuring that these animals have an intended destination.”
Picture: Via Wild Serve