Department of Biology, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia.
Department of Zoological Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
PLoS One. 2020 May 29;15(5):e0233556. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0233556. eCollection 2020.
A study on population status, foraging ecology and activity pattern of golden jackal (Canis aureus) was conducted from October 2017 to August 2018. Data was collected through direct observation (total count, focal and scan sampling) and faecal dropping analysis. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and compared with Chi-square test, t test and one way ANOVA. The result indicated that the average number of golden jackal in the study area was 65 during the wet season and 83 during the dry season. There was a significant difference in the population size of golden jackal between the wet and the dry season (t = 38.13, df = 1, P<0.05). The mean pack size ± SD were 4±1.19 and 4.5±1.3 during the wet and the dry seasons, respectively. Golden jackal was observed feeding mostly on rodents and plant materials. The food items consumed were significantly differed (χ2 = 20.33, df = 5, P< 0.05) between both seasons. They were mostly active during early morning (6:00-8:00) and late afternoon (16:00-18:00). The overall status of the current population does not appear in an immediate danger. However, there are many conservation problems that could affect the species in the future in the area. Therefore, appropriate conservation measures should be taken in to consideration to protect golden jackal and create suitable habitat.
本研究于 2017 年 10 月至 2018 年 8 月期间对金豺（Canis aureus）的种群状况、觅食生态和活动模式进行了研究。研究数据通过直接观察（总计数、焦点和扫描采样）和粪便分析收集。使用描述性统计和卡方检验、t 检验和单向方差分析进行数据分析。结果表明，在雨季和旱季，研究区域内金豺的平均数量分别为 65 只和 83 只。雨季和旱季金豺的种群大小有显著差异（t=38.13，df=1，P<0.05）。旱季和雨季的平均群大小分别为 4±1.19 和 4.5±1.3。金豺主要以啮齿动物和植物材料为食。两个季节的食物组成有显著差异（χ2=20.33，df=5，P<0.05）。它们主要在清晨（6:00-8:00）和傍晚（16:00-18:00）活动。目前的种群状况似乎没有立即处于危险之中。然而，该地区存在许多保护问题，这些问题可能会影响未来的物种。因此，应该考虑采取适当的保护措施来保护金豺并创造合适的栖息地。
