Gold jackal on Sylt: For the first time, a shooting permit granted!

Gold jackal on Sylt: For the first time, a shooting permit granted!

Sylt, Deutschland - In Germany, there is currently a heated discussion about the granting of a shooting permit for gold jackals, which have recently been looking for more and more shepherds in the Sylt area. This measure could lead to a gold jackal in Germany on June 7, 2025. According to the reports of bnn.de has been spread in Germany for a few years, but is rarely visible.

on Sylt the situation becomes increasingly precarious. A gold jackal injured two lambs on Friday, June 6, 2025, and killed one, which caused the Schäfer's concern. The sheep holder observed the animal with a night vision device and immediately informed the responsible hunters. Currently, more than 90 confirmed cracks are known on the island, and experts emphasize that these animals are not dangerous for humans, but represent a significant threat to farm animals.

necessity of the measures

Environment Minister Tobias Goldschmidt (Greens) approved the exception to hunting the gold jackal. The reasons for this are complex: on the one hand, future damage to farm animals is to be prevented, on the other hand, there is a risk to floor breeders that are native to the habitats of the jackals. Goldschmidt also points to the important role of the dike sheet for coastal protection. This was also discussed in the environmental committee of the Schleswig-Holstein state parliament, where the need to shoot hunters and conservationists is unanimously supported.

The shooting permit, which is valid until July 31, 2025, was granted due to the approval of several nature conservation associations. The hunters on site organized in the Hegering Sylt around ten areas and comprise 120 active hunters. Of these, 20 to 30 will take part in the targeted hunt for the gold jackal. The decision is controversial in expert groups, since the gold jackal is particularly protected in accordance with the Federal ARGACTION PROTECTION.

background to the gold jackals

The gold jackal (Canis Aureus) is an active and shy animal species that moves in small family associations at night. These magnificent animals in Germany are slightly larger than foxes, but smaller than wolves. Its natural habitat extends from the Middle East to India to various parts of Europe, with the first population registration in Germany from 1997 in southern Brandenburg. The gold jackal has spread further in recent years - according to the nature conservation association Germany, there are an estimated 150,000 gold jackals in Europe, while the wolf population is around 23,000

gold jackals are generalists who use a variety of food sources and adapt to different habitats. They make their thick and varied color in yellow and gray tones as well as their above-average olfactory organs into efficient hunters, especially at night. But their behavior is not threatening for humans - they avoid contact and represent no danger.

This complex topic is the focus of the discourse on the preservation of biological diversity and the need to maintain the balance between nature conservation and agricultural interests, such as ndr.de and nabu.de Explain.