Jackal spotted on Kadambur hills

A camera trap has established the presence of a jackal on the Kadambur hills in Erode district.— PHOTO: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

The presence of a jackal, considered rare here, has been established by a camera trap in a forest area adjoining agricultural fields on Kadambur hills in Erode district.

Since hares, rodents and snakes form the prey base of jackals, the farming community is benefited by the presence of the predator.

Earlier, their numbers dwindled since they were eliminated by farmers who had lost their fowls to the predators. 

Revival

WWF representatives believe stringent monitoring by the Forest Department in recent years led to the revival of jackal population.

Thorny bushes, grasslands, and agricultural lands on the Kadambur hills form an ideal habitat for jackals, they said.