Emergent urbanisation in black-backed jackals (Canis mesomelas) in South Africa

Some meso-carnivores have successfully exploited urban areas, largely because of reduced neophobia and generalist habitats. However, we do not know whether these adaptations precede or succeed their urban occurrence. We studied the first known occurrence of an urban population of black-backed jackals (Canis mesomelas). We assessed whether and how black-backed jackals have adapted to an urban golf estate. We studied the jackals' activity patterns and behaviour from camera trap footage and assessed their diet from scat analysis. The jackals have modified their behaviour, exhibiting a crepuscular peak similar to their counterparts in natural habitats and also displayed nocturnal activity, possibly to avoid human contact. The most common behaviours were travel and rest, with a higher occurrence during specific time intervals in winter compared to summer. Spatially, travel and rest were the predominant behaviours recorded in all areas of the Estate. The jackals had a diverse diet, consisting of both plant and animal matter. Anthropogenic items were also present in their scat, demonstrating their ability to adapt to urban areas. Our study is one of the first to assess an emergent colonisation of an urban area of a meso-carnivore. We showed that black-backed jackals are urban adapters (i.e. able to adapt to urban areas while still making use of natural resources) and that their ability to rapidly change their behaviour and diet contributes to their urban occurrence.