Latest news with #AranyakamNatureFoundation
Time of India
30-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Jackals find homes near human habitats in Kerala: Survey
Kochi: A survey conducted by an environmental group found that Kerala has an estimated population of 20,000 to 30,000 golden jackals, locally known as kurukkan or kurunari. The survey confirmed the jackal's presence in approximately 70% of the villages from where responses were collected by 2,200 participants. It was found that the jackals have a strong preference for lowland plains below 200m above sea level. The report, 'Uncelebrated Wanderers: Unravelling the Mysteries of Kerala's Golden Jackals', released on Monday shows that their most common habitats are not dense forests but rather human-modified landscapes, including cashew, coconut, rubber and mango plantations, as well as paddy fields and rural settlements. Their presence in and around urban centres like Kannur, Kozhikode, Thrissur, Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram highlights their ability to survive in human-dominated environments. The report, prepared by Aranyakam Nature Foundation, a group of environmental experts, notes their adaptability in surviving on organic waste in the coastal areas of Malappuram. Notably, no reports of their presence came from the western parts of the Vembanad Lake region, including the Alappuzha coast, which could be attributed to waterlogged terrain and dense infrastructure acting as barriers. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Tennessee Launches New Policy for Cars Used Less Than 50 Miles/day Bindright Undo Similarly, their presence was surprisingly low in the open plains of Attappadi, which researchers suggest could be due to competition with other predators or subtle habitat factors. Meanwhile, jackals are rarely seen in the protected forests of Western Ghats, as the dense and rugged terrain is not their preferred habitat. However, isolated sightings from high-altitude areas, such as Munnar and Eravikulam, suggest that small populations may be able to adapt to colder climates. Providing deeper ecological insights, it was found that residents in Wayanad noted that jackals helped control wild boar populations by preying on their juveniles. The residents suggested to the surveyors that the jackals themselves have vanished due to the excessive use of pesticides like Furadan. In Palakkad, communities linked the decline in jackals to a rise in the peafowl population, warranting scientific study to confirm their ecological basis. "We did not know anything about the golden jackals, a species which very much lived amongst us. That inquisitiveness nudged us to conduct the study, which helped us to know the distribution pattern in the state. We need to conduct more studies on its behaviour, food and other facets," said Dr P S Easa, an elephant expert who is part of the study. A key finding was the public perception of jackals. At least 75% of the respondents do not view them as a nuisance. However, about a quarter of the respondents expressed concern, due to poultry predation and rare rabies-related incidents. Raising concerns, the study also highlights a curious linguistic, cultural, and identity crisis jackals face. There is a growing trend among the younger, urban generation to use the term 'kurunari' exclusively. This shift is causing misidentification and a slow erosion of local knowledge. In some parts of Kerala, the rarer term 'Oolan' is still in use. However, its exact reference is becoming unclear to many, reflecting a more profound uncertainty about the animal's identity in the collective consciousness of Kerala society. Although the golden jackal population in Kerala seems to be stable, the report identifies significant threats. Habitat loss due to landscape changes, health issues arising from dependency on garbage, and potential hybridisation with stray dogs are substantial concerns. This genetic mixing could compromise the jackal's long-term genetic integrity, a subject that warrants urgent research.
The Hindu
28-07-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
Kerala's Golden Jackals find home in human-dominated landscapes, not forests: study
An extensive citizen science study has estimated that Kerala is home to a population of 20,000 to 30,000 Golden Jackals (Canis aureus naria). In one of the most comprehensive assessments of the elusive canid in the State to date, the research undertaken by non-governmental organisation (NGO) Aranyakam Nature Foundation has shed light on the widespread yet underappreciated presence of the species in Kerala's varied landscapes, from coastal belts to peri-urban settlements. Titled 'The Uncelebrated Wanderers: Unravelling the Mysteries of Kerala's Golden Jackals', the study led by former Director of Kerala Forest Research Institute P.S. Easa, S. Dhruvaraj and Sandeep Das entailed an innovative blend of citizen science and predictive modelling. It involved over 2,200 participants and recorded more than 5,000 sightings across 874 villages. Contrary to assumptions that associate wildlife mainly with forested habitats, the study found that only 2% of jackal sightings were from protected forest areas. Instead, jackals thrive in open lowland regions, particularly those below 200 meters in elevation. Their preferred habitats include coconut groves (24%), paddy fields (8%), rubber plantations (6%), rural settlements (10%), and even urban areas (5.6%), showing a remarkable adaptability to human-altered environments. Geographically, the jackal's distribution spans much of Kerala, but is notably sparse in the Western Ghats, the Alappuzha coast and Attappady due to habitat unsuitability or competitive pressures. However, isolated populations have been observed in Munnar and Eravikulam as the findings suggest some degree of adaptation to high-altitude ecosystems. Nonetheless, golden jackals have been frequently reported in urban areas in Kannur, Kozhikode, Thrissur, Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram. A significant majority of the survey respondents (74.7%) do not consider jackals a nuisance. Notably, many even acknowledge their role in controlling pests such as rodents and wild boars. Concerns However, concerns linger about poultry predation, cases of rabies and the species' increasing reliance on organic waste, especially in coastal areas. Their dependency on anthropogenic waste raises ecological and public health concerns, while also pointing to a need for improved waste management practices. The report also flags an emerging threat of hybridisation with stray dogs, which could compromise the jackal's genetic integrity. With rapid urbanisation continuing to shrink open habitats, the study calls for an urgent realignment of conservation policies to protect landscapes beyond protected areas, preserving open spaces in both rural and urban planning, enhancing public awareness to mitigate conflict and sustained scientific studies to monitor jackal populations and threat.
