Catching the Elusive Golden Jackal of Sylt: Hunt Begins Earlier
- *
Earlier commencement of jackal search on Sylt island - Early initiation of the Sylt-Chakal hunt commences
The hunt for the elusive golden jackal on the island of Sylt is still ongoing, days after the official exemption permit was issued. According to Thomas Diedrichsen, deputy head of the hunting association, multiple sit-and-wait hunts have been conducted in areas like Lister Koog and Ellenbogen, with fifteen hunters in attendance.
As it turns out, the jackal isn't an overnight owl. Hunters have adjusted their schedules, now taking up positions earlier in the evening, as they've discovered the animal is active beyond dusk, around 10 PM, when it's still daylight on Sylt. "But it's all for naught if we don't know where he is," laments a local hunter.
A vet reportedly spotted the jackal in Rantum town on Sunday, but there have been no further reports of killed sheep or lambs since Friday night.
The Sylt hunting association manages ten hunting grounds with around 120 hunters, with about 30 of them involved in the current hunt. The island spans approximately 99 square kilometers.
Apart from waiting on high seats, other, unspecified methods are being employed in the search. Despite concerns about disruptions, Diedrichsen remains hopeful the hunt will be successful before the end of July.
The jackal has claimed 90 sheep and lambs since May 19, resulting in the issuance of an artenschutzrechtliche exemption permit for its shooting, effective June 5 and expiring on July 31. If successful, this would mark the first confirmed shooting of a golden jackal in Germany, according to the German Hunting Association (DJV).
- Sylt
- Hunting
- Golden Jackal
- Exemption Permit
- Hunters
While the current approach centers on the exemption permit, the situation has stirred controversy. Some suggest alternative, non-lethal management strategies such as:
- Monitoring and Surveillance: Using camera traps and sensors to track the jackal's movements might help understand its habitat and potential impacts on local wildlife.
- Non-Lethal Deterrents: Implementing deterrents like fencing, guard animals, or repellents could protect vulnerable species.
- Relocation: If capture is feasible, relocating the jackal to a more suitable habitat could be considered.
- Public Education: Educating the public about the jackal's presence and its potential impacts could foster a supportive environment for coexistence or management efforts.
However, these alternatives are not being actively implemented in Sylt at present, given legal protections and local opposition to hunting tourism and external hunters.
- The local community is currently discussing a resolution to address the golden jackal issue on Sylt, considering various alternative strategies such as monitoring and surveillance, non-lethal deterrents, relocation, and public education.
- As the community policy debate unfolds, vocational training for fitness-and-exercise, health-and-wellness, science, and mental health initiatives remain important to ensure the overall well-being of the local residents and their continued efforts towards coexistence with wildlife.
