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After increasing sightings of wolves in the Netherlands
the golden jackal is also making an appearance in the country
One such dog-like animal was filmed in the woods near Ruurlo on Wednesday
What makes this sighting even more unique is that the jackal was filmed during the day
while these animals are usually active at twilight and at night
This was only the third ever observation of a golden jackal in the Netherlands. The previous two times happened on the Veluwe in February 2016 and October last year
The golden jackal looks somewhere between a wolf and a dog
The animal is much smaller than a wolf and weighs a maximum of around 15 kilograms
Golden jackals always lived in the vast areas between the Balkans and Bangladesh
but has continued to penetrate further and further into Europe since the 1950s
These jackals mainly live on small rodents like mice and rats
so cattle owners don't have to be concerned about them
According to wolf connoisseur Leo Linnartz
there is a solid chance that the golden jackal will eventually settle in the Netherlands
"The whole of Europe is suitable as its habitat
Here is enough space and also enough food." How many jackals are in the Netherlands is impossible to say
"This is evident from only three observations in 2.5 years."