The Sultanpur National Park Welcomes Its Youngest Pack Of Golden Jackals

A Male Golden Jackal of a Pack of 3 Looks at Me with Curiosity

The Sultanpur National Park, twenty kilometres from Gurugram has been well known for being the winter destination for migratory birds from Central Asia and perhaps even Africa. While it is customary to see Bar-headed Geese and Grey Lag Geese along with a variety of Ducks, the National Park, a Ramsar site is also home to indigenous species of mammals, like the Asian Antelopes. However, as of late, I have been observing an evergrowing presence of the Asian Golden Jackals! The first time I spotted these rather graceful animals was when I first visited the National Park after it had opened after the Covid-19 lockdown. It was probably in October 2020 that I first spotted these rather elusive Jackals. The Jackals might have shifted to the environs of the Sultanpur National Park during the lockdown from the grasslands surrounding the Chandu Budhera village. The initial lack of human presence might have encouraged them to settle in the National Park.

A young pack of 3 jackals prepare for the day ahead

The greatest threat that these Jackals face is from stray dogs that often find their way into the Sultanpur National Park. Stray dogs pose a threat to not only Jackals but also migratory birds and Asian Antelopes. The fight for space and the shrinking Natural habitats for resident animals and wildlife is forcing them to congregate in protected National Parks and Sanctuaries. Also, the lack of resources in the surrounding scrublands and the now dried-up wetlands is forcing animals and birds to seek the sanctuary of National Parks in the region where at least they get water to drink.

A male and a female Golden Jackal at The National Park

Asian Golden Jackals are very shy in nature and they avoid coming in contact with human beings. They are highly territorial in nature and larger packs usually break up into smaller packs with designated areas. With an expanding population, these Jackals will soon run out of space. If you look closely at the second photograph in my post you will notice that the smaller animal on the left side seems to have wounds on one side of its ear, the left ear has been literally chewed up. This is probably because of rivalry within the pack or that it had been attacked by members of the other larger pack.

This is obviously a breakaway pack of Jackals