194 JOUKAAL or THE DEPARTMENT OE AgRICULTUEE, SePT,, 1922. 



The Life-history and Extermination of the Jackal. 



The sinister figure of the jackal throws over the country a 

 shadow that deepens with time, for the presence of this animal in 

 South Africa has been largely responsible for setting in motion a 

 train of conseciuences that to-day are seen in the deterioration of 

 the veld and the rapid erosion and dissipation of that irreplaceable 

 asset — the soil of the Union. The present system of small stock 

 farming that the Commission* presently investigating the drought 

 problem inveighs so strongly against, owes its inception and con- 

 tinuance largely to the jackal in the heavy losses he is capable of 

 inflicting on improtected animals. And to bring about the improved 

 system earnestly advocated by the Commission, if the processes pre- 

 dicted to lead to the eventual disaster of the country are to be stayed, 

 one of the first steps is the removal of the jackal. It is a problem 

 that has exercised the farmer for a hundred years, and notwithstand- 

 ing all his ingenuity and resource in combating it, the jackal 

 remains an unconquered pest. 



The Commission referred to conies to the only logical conclusion 

 that the jackal must be brought luider control and, if possible, exter- 

 minated ; and that little permanent success will attend the efforts to 

 destroy it in any district unless it be first pinned dowm to an area 

 which will permit of its being eradicated rather than driven away. 

 It was found that there Avas much difference of opinion throughout 

 the coamtry as to the best method by which the jackal can be exter- 

 minated, but the Commission considers that nothing is more calcu- 

 lated to lead to this end than jackal-proof fencing. 



The problem is a national one, and for some time past has been 

 investigated by the South African Biological Society, which has 

 circulated a list of questions throughout the country in order to 

 accumulate as much information as possible on the life-history of 

 the jackal before taking active steps in connection with its exter- 

 mination. The inquiry met with a gratifying response, and there is 

 published in this number of the Journal an article, based on the 

 replies received, written by Mr. Roberts, of the Transvaal Museum. 

 It is entitled "The Life-history of the Jackal," and though valu- 

 able as a forerunner, is not yet complete ; and as it is the most 

 important part of the investigation further particulars are still 

 wanted regarding the various methods practised in overcoming the 

 pest, in the acquiring of which the co-operation of the farmer 

 again is sought. While therefore the present article gives a valuable 

 account of the life-history of the jackal, its habitat, movements, 

 breeding and other habits, diet, mode of attack, etc., it closes with 

 a request to farmers for additional information, on lines set out, 

 respecting hunting, fencing, poisoning, trapping, shooting, and 

 destruction of jackals in holes. 



Replies may be sent to this office or addressed to Ur. Phillips, 

 Honorary Secretary, S.A. Biological Society, P.O. Box 820, Pretoria, 

 and the Department trusts that the efforts to assist them will widely 

 and promptly be responded to by farmers. The importance of deter- 

 minedly tackling and overcoming the problem can not be impressed 



* Interim Keport of the Drought laves' igati n Commissiou. Obtainable fr. m the 

 Government Printer, Pretoria. Price 2s. See also article " The Great Drought Problem," 

 in last month's issue of the Journal ; page 118. 



