Black-Backed Jackal hunting in Zimbabwe

Black-backed Jackals are similar to a Coyote, more fox-like in size. Two species of Jackal are found in Zimbabwe, namely the Black-backed Jackal and Side-stripped Jackal. Black-backed Jackals have light-reddish brown legs and bodies with a very distinctive black saddle on their backs. Their ears are pointed and stand very erect always listening for sound especially when on the prowl for food. Black-backed Jackals occur in the south and western parts of the country and are often considered vermin. In Zimbabwe, they are one of the main transmitters of rabies during an outbreak. Unlike the game ranching areas of South Africa, there is no shoot on site policy in Zimbabwe where most hunting areas are wild expansive areas and their numbers are controlled by larger predators. Jackals are primarily solitary nocturnal hunters that feed on a varied diet from fruit to carrion and will also catch live prey. The bulk of their diet is made up of small rodents. They may often be encountered in the early morning while still in search of food before denning or lying up for the day. They are also opportunistic scavengers and regularly found following the larger predators, especially when there is a fresh kill. Classified as a species of least concern by the IUCN, no special hunting permits are required.