Experts call for study to understand jackals

Even as the forest department has been successfully studying and promoting research on leopards in Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) and Aarey, wildlife experts are now drawing their attention towards another mammal species — jackals — living across the vast mangrove tracts in and around Mumbai.

"There is very little awareness or information on the jackals in Mumbai and it's important that we start understanding their population estimation inside various mangrove belts. We have already submitted a proposal for a detailed study including camera trappings on jackal population with the Thane territorial department. We will also be speaking with Mangrove Cell officials," said Pawan Sharma, Wildlife Warden, Thane, who is also the President of RAWW, an NGO that works to rescue urban wildlife and has rescued jackals on several occasions.

Mili Shetty, a resident of Charkop, who has been fighting to protect the mangroves in her area, said that she has spotted a jackal in the Charkop mangroves. "It's a gift that Mumbai has its share of wildlife remaining and jackals have adapted and are thriving around mangroves. Their population and behaviour need to be studied to ensure that they don't become extinct in the coming years," she said.

A wildlife enthusiast who lives in Vikhroli's Godrej Colony said that they have had several instances of jackals entering their colonies which are close to the mangroves. "The study will help to create awareness among locals on how to avoid any conflicts in the future," said the enthusiast.

A senior forest official from Thane Territorial Forest said that after the attacks on BMC guards, they had initiated regular patrolling and some morning walkers on that stretch had informed them about occasional jackal sightings while some people were even chased by jackals. "There is no doubt that we need to focus on this issue and a study would help," said the official.

Some of the mangroves where jackals have been spotted are around Gorai village, Charkop, Bhandup Pumping Station, Mulund, Vikhroli and Ghatkopar.

WHY JACKALS?

• The focus is essential given the fact that there have been several instances of human-jackal conflicts including attacks on BMC guards posted at the Ghatkopar lagoon pumping station as well as cases of these species being rescued after entering human-dominated areas like Mulund and Vikhroli.
   
• The study will help understand their diet, adaptation and threats to them.