Jackals among wolves: balancing between competition and tolerance

Competition plays a key role in shaping predator communities, but carrion
abundance can alter these interactions. We investigated interactions
between grey wolves (Canis lupus), an apex predator, and golden jackals
(Canis aureus), an opportunistic mesocarnivore, in carrion-rich regions of
Greece, where livestock carcasses are frequently dumped by farmers. Using
UAVs with thermal imaging, handheld thermal cameras, and camera traps, we
recorded nearly 1,100 wolf and over 9,000 jackal sightings across
landscapes. Our analyses showed that jackals fed and rested more often
near abundant food, with larger carcasses leading to prolonged
interactions. There was a strong positive relationship between carcass
biomass and jackal group size, highly moderated by season, facilitating
joint feeding and accelerating carrion consumption. Wolves feeding
alongside jackals were mostly solitary, while jackals formed groups of
around five, likely benefiting from reduced risk and greater feeding
opportunities. Larger carcasses attracted more interactions between
species, supporting our hypothesis that ample food supply reduces direct
competition and fosters greater tolerance. However, competition persisted,
as we recorded multiple cases of jackal food theft and a single fatal
wolf-jackal encounter. These findings challenge rigid predator
hierarchies, highlighting how resource abundance promotes coexistence and
underscoring the need for effective wildlife management in food-abundant
environments.