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Golden Jackals Occurred Closer to People Where Wolves Were Common

Wild golden jackal in northern Greece looking toward the camera
Research · Ecology

Human presence can weaken the suppressive effect of grey wolves on golden jackals, helping the smaller canid expand across Europe, according to a continent-wide study published on 25 May 2026. The researchers combined acoustic playback surveys from 8,991 calling stations in 13 European countries with wolf-occurrence, climate and landscape data. Playback surveys use standardized broadcast calls and listening periods to detect responding territorial jackal groups, allowing the team to model where golden jackals (Canis aureus) were likely to occur in relation to people and the grey wolf (Canis lupus).

Among the factors examined, wolf presence was the strongest limitation on jackal occurrence. Where wolves were present, jackals were less likely to occur. That effect, however, became substantially weaker in areas with greater human presence.

People acted as a shield from wolves

The researchers describe this pattern as a human-shield effect. Where wolves were absent, jackals were more likely to occur farther from human development. In core wolf areas the relationship reversed: jackals were more likely near human development, where the negative association with wolves was weaker. The study therefore supports the idea that people can alter the spatial interaction between the two predators, rather than simply attracting jackals everywhere.

The fitted distribution model suggested that large parts of continental Europe remain suitable for further jackal expansion. Under the model, golden jackals had the potential to occupy up to 75% of the continent, almost six times the area of their current range. This is a modelled potential distribution, not a statement that jackals already occupy three quarters of Europe.

Wolf recovery could reduce suitable expansion areas

Europe’s recovering wolf populations could reduce the area suitable for expanding jackals by as much as 18% in the near future, according to the model. At the same time, the authors expect the human-shield effect, together with climate warming and landscape modification, to continue supporting jackal expansion across the continent.

The study therefore describes the expansion as the outcome of several interacting forces. Wolves suppress jackal occurrence, while human presence can partly weaken that interaction and provide spaces where jackals are less exposed to their larger competitor.

The findings show that recovery of an apex predator does not operate independently of human land use. The researchers conclude that human activity can modify the ecological effects of wolves on smaller carnivores and thereby influence where expanding species such as the golden jackal can establish.

Sources and image credit

  1. Ranc, N., Wilmers, C. C., Maiorano, L., Warton, D. I., Álvares, F., Cagnacci, F., Hatlauf, J., Acosta-Pankov, I., Banea, O., Berce, T., Červinka, J., Ćirović, D., Ćosić, N., Gál, L., Giannatos, G., Guimarães, N. F., Heltai, M., Ivanov, G., Lanszki, J., … Krofel, M. (2026). Human shielding from wolves facilitates jackal expansion across Europe. Nature Ecology & Evolution, 10, 1091–1102. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-026-03060-yPrimary research article published 25 May 2026. The analysis used 8,991 playback calling stations across 13 countries in Central and Southeastern Europe. Grey wolf presence was the strongest factor limiting golden jackal occurrence, while human presence weakened wolf suppression. The fitted continental model predicted potential occupancy of up to 75% of continental Europe, and wolf recovery could reduce suitable expansion areas by up to 18%.

Image: Hellenic Nature Videos / Wikimedia Commons — wild golden jackal in central Macedonia, northern Greece, 25 June 2020; representative European species image, not a survey animal · CC BY 3.0 · Source

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