Jackals seen stealing kills from lynx as they expand range in Europe

Camera traps in Slovenia have recorded golden jackals eating deer recently killed by Eurasian lynx in the first sign of conflict between these carnivores

By Joshua Rapp Learn

Watch out cats — there’s a new dog in town. Golden jackals (Canis aureus) are expanding their range in Europe, and the acquisition of new territory may come at the expense of the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx).

According to new research, jackals have been seen scavenging carcasses of deer killed by lynx in southern Slovenia. While the evidence is limited at this point, it shows the first recorded incidents of kleptoparasitism — the act of stealing food — against lynx in Europe by jackals.

“There are a lot …