Golden jackals are not native to France, probably as a result of of the presence of wolves. Unfortunately, wolf populations have dropped so low, that their presence is not stopping the spread of animals like this.
In this instance, the female was too young to have arrived on its own, suggesting that not only are golden jackals present, but they are breeding.
We will have to watch this space, and see what is happening. Will the recovering wolf population stop the spread, or are golden jackals going to become a permanent part of west Europe’s fauna?
To read more about golden jackals visit our golden jackal page here
The Ethiopian wolf is restricted to the highlands of Ethiopia, and the current count is only 366 ,
Ethiopian wolf
The Ethiopian wolf is a highly endangered canid that is restricted to the highlands of Ethiopia. Other names include the Ethiopian fox, or the Simien wolf.
In terms of size, it is about the same size as the Coyote, Genetically, they are more similar to wolves than all jackals (except the Golden jackal). Here, below you can see how closely related each of the wolves are. While they look rather like jackals, their behaviour is far more like wolves – though due to the prey in the area, they do not hunt in packs (though there are regions of earth where grey wolves do not hunt as a pack either.
Back in 2015 genetic analysis prove conclusively that a strange looking type of golden jackal in North Africa was actually and African wolf. Genetic analysis shows that is descended around 75% from grey wolves, with the other 25% of it’s lineage coming from Ethiopian wolves. However when first described by science back in the early …...
The Japanese raccoon dog (also called the Tanuki) is a species that is native to Japan. Mainly nocturnal, although known to be active during daylight. They vocalize by growling or with groans which can sound like domestic cats – they also arch their back (like cats) when trying to intimidate other animals, however it trying to show submissions they behave like other canids by lowering their body to the ground or showing their stomach in submission.
Japanese racoon dog
Social groups are usually limited to breeding pairs, but before pairing off, racoon dogs often form groups until this happens.
Usually monogamous, 4-6 pups are born after 9 weeks. They are looked after in the den for a month, and outside the den for a further month. Their wild lifespan is aound 7-8 years with captive specimens having reached 13 years.
They have sharp claws and have been observed usinig these to climb a tree, so as to forage for fruit and berries.
The Japanese raccoon dog is mainly nocturnal, but they are known to be active during daylight. They vocalize by growling or with groans that have pitches resembling those of domesticated cats. Like cats, the Japanese raccoon dog arches its back when it is trying to intimidate other animals; however, they assume a defensive posture similar to that of other canids, lowering their bodies and showing their bellies to submit.
Usually, social groups are limited to a breeding pair, but individual Japanese raccoon dogs may stay in a group of non-paired individuals until they find a mate.[5]
The species is predominantly monogamous. The breeding period for the species is synchronized between females and males and lasts between February and April. A litter (typically with 4–6 pups) is born after a gestation period of 9 weeks. The parents look after their pups at a den for around a month, and then for another month after the pups leave the den.
Japanese raccoon dogs live for 7–8 years in the wild and have reached the age of 13 in captivity.
They have been observed to climb trees to forage for fruits and berries, using their curved claws to climb.
They have been introduced to northern Europe where they are considered to be a pest.
The common raccoon dog (also known as the (Chinese or Asian racoon dog, to distinguish it from the Japanese racoon dog)is a species which is found in east Asia. Although named for its facial markings, it is not closely related to raccoons and, although part of the dog family, it is more closely related to the fox.
This animal has been widely introduced in Europe due to regular escapes from fur farms.
Common raccoon dogs are omnivores that feed on insects, rodents, amphibians, birds, fish, reptiles, molluscs,  crabs, sea urchins, human garbage, carrion, and eggs, as well as fruits, nuts, and berries.
Wolves predate them, and eat many in the spring. In Russia, wolves can account for as much as 2/3 of the deaths. Other animals like badgers and lynx will kill them, but generally do not go out of the way to do so. A range of birds of prey also target them.
They are the only canid to hibernate. There are around 4 subspecies. The Japanese racoon dog was thought to be a subspecies until recently when it was elevated to being its own species. They are one of the species that is thought to be have spread covid, and there are other illnesses that their introduction has caused to arrive in new countries.
The Pampas fox is also known as the grey pampean fox, Pampas zorro, Azara fox or Azara zorro. It is a midsized (non) fox as all south American foxes, which are more closely related to the wolf and jackal.
Pampas fox
The Pampas fox resembles the Culpeo or Andean fox in appearance and size, but has a proportionately wider snout, reddish fur on the head and neck, and a black mark on the muzzle. Its short, dense fur is grey over most of the body, with a black line running down the back and onto the tail, and pale, almost white, underparts.
The Pampas fox can be found in northern and central Argentina, Uruguay, eastern Bolivia, Paraguay, and southern Brazil. It prefers open pampas habitats, often close to agricultural land, but can also be found in montane or chaco forest, dry scrubland, and wetland habitats. It is most common below 1,000 m (3,300 ft) elevation, but can inhabit puna grasslands up to 3,500 m.
They are occasionally hunted for their fur, or to avoid livestock deaths, however thus far this has not impacted population.
Also known as Hoary zorro, its Brazilian name means little meadow fox. It primary feeds on insects,
Hoary fox
The Hoary fox is generally nocturnal and usually solitary except during the breeding season. They survive for the most part on insects such as termites, dung beetles and grasshoppers. They will also eat rodents, small birds and fruit. Their home range varies widely depending on how much food is available. An example is one adult in Southern Bahia whose home range covers 950 acres, however in the pastures of Minas Gerais a breeding pair with 5 young survived on 1130 acres, and in Eastern Mato Grosso 2 breeding pairs shared 120 acres.
They are mostly native to Southern central Brazil.
River Gambia Niokolokoba National Park Credit: United states Government
A fascination reserve with a wide range of wildlife, this is a place well worth a visit. With a variety of habitats, the range of wildlife that can be seen is not usually available in one reserve anywhere else.
 The national park is known for its wildlife. The government of Senegal estimates the park contains 20 species of amphibians, 60 species of fish, 38 species of reptiles (of which four are tortoises). There are some 80 mammal species. These included (as of 2005) an estimated 11000 buffaloes, 6000 hippopotamuses, 400 western giant eland, 50 elephants, 120 lions, 150 chimpanzees (It is inhabited by a banded forest in the park (Lower Rim) and Mount Assirik. (north-western limit line where chimps are distributed.)), 3000 waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus), 2000 common duiker (Sylvicapra grimmia), an unknown number of red colobus (Colobus badius rufomitratus) and a few rare African leopards and West African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus manguensis), although this canid was thought to be wiped out throughout the rest of the country.[4]
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Other mammals include roan antelope, Guinea baboon, green monkey, patas monkey, warthog.
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Around 330 species of birds have been sighted in the park, notably the Arabian bustard, black crowned crane, Abyssinian ground hornbill (Bucorvus abyssinicus), martial eagle, bateleur (Terathopius ecaudatus), and white-faced duck (Dendrocygna viduata).
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There are also reptiles such as three species of crocodiles, four species of tortoises
