H2_W3_011

Date: 2008

Location: Pench National Park, Madhya Pradesh

Did you know?

The Indian Jackal, also known as the Himalayan Jackal, is a subspecies of golden jackal native to Pakistan, India, Bhutan, Burma, and Nepal. It typically inhabits lowlands on the outskirts of towns, villages, and farms, where they shelter in holes among ruins or dense brush. Except during hot periods, the Indian jackal usually only leaves its den at dusk and retires at dawn. Though primarily a scavenger that subsists on garbage and offal, it will supplement its diet with rodents, reptiles, fruit, and insects.

About the picture

It was a drizzly day at Pench National Park, Madhya Pradesh when we came across this Indian Jackal feeding her hungry, young pups. Thankfully, the rain had just stopped and the mother Jackal decided to make use of the sunshine to dry herself off while also ensuring that her pups were fed.

Fun Fact

Lone jackals expelled from their pack have been known to form mutually beneficial relationships with tigers. These solitary jackals attach themselves to a particular tiger, trailing it at a safe distance to feed on the big cat's kills or even alert a tiger to a kill with a loud pheal sound. Tigers have been known to tolerate these jackals.