The Jackal: Unique and under appreciated

It was the last day of our safari, and our driver surprised us with a sunset picnic. As we soaked in the incomparable beauty of the sun setting on the Masai Mara National Park, he told me that if we encountered the legendary African Honey Badger, we would be forced to make a hasty retreat. Apparently, they are as fierce as advertised on YouTube!

masai mara national park

While we chatted, I noticed a pair of jackals trotting together at a distance. Whenever I saw them in the Mara, they were always only one or two. They are monogamous, he had said. I later thought about the contrast between the jackal and other animals that hunt in packs like hyenas. Earlier that day, we had seen a big group of hyenas lazing near Mara Bush Camp at the area known as “Hyena Headquarters”. Inspired by what my safari guide had told me about the jackal and my own curiosity, I wanted to learn more about this underappreciated member of the dog family.

The jackal is an enigma. While their dog relatives the Painted Dog and Ethiopian Wolf hunt in packs, you’ll rarely encounter more than one or two jackals together. Jackals like to ambush their prey and bigger numbers would hurt their cause.

masai mara national park

Jackals are indeed monogamous. That’s a very unique trait when compared with other mammal species. Jackal pairs mate for life. When the female is nursing the young, the male jackal brings food to her and the pups at their den. Baby jackals are an inviting target for eagles. Jackal pups are capable of hunting by themselves at around six months of age, and usually leave when they are around a year old. Some “Helper jackals” stay to help their parents.

While they are famous for munching on lion leftovers, jackals are excellent hunters in their own right. They don’t have the speed of the big cats, but jackals have excellent eyesight and are alert. Prey varies-jackals eat everything from frogs and lizards to mongoose and young wildebeest and gazelle. They also eat berries and fruit, and if close enough to human habitat, they will scavenge for food. Besides eagles, their natural enemies include lions, leopard, and hyena.

There are three species of jackal. The Side-striped jackal, black-backed jackal, and golden jackal are all found in Africa and have least threatened status, according to the Africa Wildlife Foundation.

masai mara national park