In the summer of 2020, the golden jackal was observed in Finnmark for the first time, much to the surprise of both the Norwegian Environment Agency and the National Nature Inspectorate (SNO). Now the sheep farmer Odd Fredrik Josefsen from Lakselv says that the jackal wanders around the farms in the area. Odd Fredrik Josefsen saw the golden jackal for the first time in spring 2022. Photo: Privat His first encounter with the jackal was during the plowing this spring. The golden jackal emerged from a ditch 100 meters away. – You get chills when you see that animal there, says Josefsen. Neighbor Kjell Johansen managed to capture the sound of the golden jackal on recording. He quickly realized that it was a golden jackal. – It is a combination of wolf and fox. It looks like it has been to the gym as it is so powerful. As of now, two individuals have been confirmed observed in Norway. In addition to the jackal in Lakselv, one individual has been observed in Kåfjord in Troms. Before it appeared in Lakselv, the golden jackal had not been observed further north than Oulu in Finland – approximately 500 kilometers further south as the crow flies. Golden jackal The golden jackal is a species of carnivorous mammal in the dog family. The coat color varies a lot, also with the seasons, but is usually yellow to pale golden with brown hair tips. The body is 84–105 centimeters long. The shoulder height is 38–50 centimeters, and they weigh 7–15 kilograms. The tail is 20–40 centimeters long and bushy, and the ears stand straight up. The golden jackal occurs in South-East Europe and in South Asia to Myanmar. The nearest permanent population of jackals is in Estonia. Source: snl.no / John Linnell, NINA Hyler Josefsen says the farm in Lakselv has been transformed into pure wilderness. – You can hear howling around here. It is a colossal powerful sound. This photo of the jackal was taken on Josefsen’s wildlife camera in August 2022. Photo: Odd Fredrik Josefsen Although the golden jackal has provided an experience for the village in Lakselv, Josefsen is, however, skeptical of the animal. He believes that it poses a threat to the sheep farmers in the area. – This spring we had a sheep that broke open the gate, and we lost the flock of sheep. After only an hour on the field, the jackal had taken a lamb. It is completely incredible. The individual in Lakselv hangs around the farms at Ildskog. – It is rude like just a beating, and goes between the houses here. The golden jackal is not an actual jackal, but belongs to the same genus as wolves and domestic dogs. It is widespread from Eastern Europe and eastward through Asia, all the way to Vietnam. The stock has suddenly exploded, increasing by 886 per cent in 15 years, writes Dagens Næringsliv. The golden jackal has now been detected in all countries on the European mainland, except Spain, Portugal, Belgium and Sweden. The golden jackal has been confirmed observed in Lakselv in Finnmark, and in Manndalen in Kåfjord. Reindeer owners worried Josefsen is not the only one who worries. Earlier in November, representatives of the reindeer husbandry industry advocated shooting the golden jackal. Leader of the Troms reindeer herders’ county association, Per Mathis Oskal, believes the reindeer owners have had enough of the predators wolverine, bear, lynx and wolf. – We are afraid that it will gain a foothold here, and become the fifth predator that we have. We believe that it should be taken out before it becomes established. Per Mathis Oskal advocates shooting the golden jackal. – If you don’t take care of it before it becomes established, it can become difficult later. Photo: Press release Oskal says the jackal can cause problems on several levels. – We not only fear that it will take calves and adult animals, but we are aware of the consequences of getting another predator that chases and disturbs the reindeer. It can cause big problems. He believes that you must act now. – If you don’t take care of it before it becomes established, it can become difficult later. Don’t hunt in packs Zoologist at the Natural History Museum, Petter Bøckmann, was surprised when the golden jackal appeared in Norwegian nature. – I didn’t see it coming, to put it bluntly. You don’t expect it that far in the north, says Bøckmann. Petter Bøckmann is a zoologist at the Natural History Museum. He believes the livestock industry does not need to worry about the golden jackal. Photo: Karsten Sund He explains that the population of golden jackals increased sharply a few years ago, and that has led them to wander. Bøckmann does not think climate change is the reason why the jackal has taken to Lakselv. – It is probably primarily the population expansion, but the question is whether the expansion has anything to do with the climate. He believes the livestock industry does not need to worry significantly about the animal. – There won’t be any major problem, and they don’t hunt in packs. You might find a few together, but it’s not like a pack of wolves. Will not shoot Senior adviser in the Norwegian Environment Agency, Erik Lund, is not afraid that the jackal will gain a foothold in Norway in the near future. – We have two observations, and with two males and 40 miles apart, there is no chance of more being present. Senior advisor in the Norwegian Environment Agency, Erik Lund. Photo: Privat He says the Norwegian Environment Agency does not want to shoot the jackals, which the reindeer herding industry is advocating for. – As of today, we have no evidence to do something like that. The golden jackal is not natural to Norwegian nature, but since it has arrived without human help, it is considered a natural distribution. – We think they can only stay there for so long. We have no evidence that they do any harm, or can be considered an alien species that does not belong here, says Lund.
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Golden jackal in Norway and it prowls around Odd’s garden in Lakselv – news Troms and Finnmark
