PHOTO: KAMOL DAS

A golden jackal, lean-bodied and alert, moves through the green hush of Chattogram’s Anowara KPZ. Native across parts of South Asia, Southeast Europe, the Middle East and beyond, the golden jackal is the only jackal species found in Bangladesh, where it occurs in forests, grasslands and even along village edges. An opportunistic omnivore, it thrives where food and cover are within easy reach. Golden jackals are known for their synchronised pair bonds and haunting choral howls. Though the species is listed as “Least Concern” by the IUCN, habitat contraction, persecution, poisoning, roadkill incidents and conflict with humans continue to threaten populations in parts of its range.