Dietary Habits of the Golden Jackal (Canis aureus L.) in the Eastern Croatia

In the past fifteen years, a considerable increase in size of the golden jackal (Canis aureus) population has been recorded in the eastern part of Croatia. Dietary habits have been determined in the period 2008-2011 by analysing the content of 238 stomachs. Golden jackal is typical omnivorous and opportunistic forager which consumes easiest accessible food, according to season and habitat, primary animal food, such as carcasses, rodents and meat waste. Parts of big game animals were found consumed in the period of main hunting season during the winter. Small animals were frequently present in the diet during the spring and summer, in the season of breeding and cub-rearing. Meat waste originated from livestock has been consumed periodically, during the pig slaughtering season at rural households. Plant material occurred occasionally in diet of the golden jackal, depending on time of crop harvest or ripening of fruits. There is no conflict between golden jackal and sectors of livestock and agriculture in the eastern Croatia