Indian Golden Jackal
© DavidA99/flickr Indian Golden Jackal
Despite injuring several people and devouring livestock and poultry during past two months here in North Kashmir's Kupwara district, Wildlife department authorities have failed to check jackals from roaming in residential areas.

During the past two months, jackals have injured at least 50 persons in Tikipora, Sogam, Diver and adjoining areas. In the latest attack a pack of jackals mauled 3-year-old Moheeb and 4- year-old Ayan Zahoor at Lone Mohalla Sogam.

In a similar case attack Aasia Jan (12) and her 8-year-old brother Shabir Ahmad of Tikipora were brutally injured outside their house."The population of jackals in our area has swelled tremendously and they are on a rampage in human habitations," said Munawar Ahmad Khan of Diver. He added that large packs of jackals have been prowling in areas including Margi, Tikipora, Andurbug, Diver, Thandoosa, Lalpora, Dorsa, Chandigam, Sogam, Gundmanchar, Kuligam, Maidanpora, Cheepora, Kandhar, Shalagund, Nard, Sivan, Khurhama, Sivar and Sivan, and attack whatever comes their way.

"Five of my sheep were devoured by a pack of jackals last week at Sogam in broad day light," said Ghulam Muhammad Chopan. "Jackals can act as reservoirs and carriers of Rabies. When any persons or domestic animal comes in contact with them, they should immediately be vaccinated," said A R Wani, Chief Animal Husbandry Officer Kupwara.

Dr Firdous Ahmad BMO Sogam said that during the past three months they have received over 100 cases of jackal attacks in Lolab. Some of the persons were badly injured, he added. Wildlife warden North Kashmir, Muhammad Maqbool Baba said, "There is no need to panic as Jackal is not a powerful animal like a bear or leopard. They attack people only in self defense. Locals should take care of them on their own and avoid direct contact with jackals." "We have shortage of staff in Kupwara, and a few officials with mere cages cannot control the wild animals from entering residential areas due to shortage of food in forests," he added.