Birdies, eagles and jackals: Urbanisation of black-backed jackals Lupulella mesomelas and residents’ perceptions on a golf estate in Johannesburg, South Africa

Abstract Black-backed jackals ( Lupulella mesomelas ) appear increasingly urbanised in Johannesburg, South Africa, yet their presence in urban environments is undocumented, and interactions with residents poorly understood. Urban jackal distribution was recorded for the first time using citizen science reports via social media platforms with photographic verification. Local perceptions were measured on a residential golf estate through a questionnaire survey and a modified PANAS scale. A camera-trapping study determined jackal distribution and activity patterns.Of the 240 questionnaire responses (19.3% of households); 75% (n = 180) owned pets, 90% (n = 204) indicated wildlife added value to the estate, and 79% (n = 189) selected positive emotions towards jackals. A significant association existed between pet ownership and attitudes toward jackals (χ²=27.53, df = 3, p < 0.00001). Positive emotions were expressed by 88.0% of dog-only owners, while 57.7% of cat-only owners expressed negative responses. This negativity likely stems from perceptions of jackals as threats to cats, as noted in open-ended responses: "…my whole family constantly has a worry about our cats getting out at night because there’s wild animals that will attack them and it really just causes constant anxiety." Unaccompanied, free-roaming domestic cats were photographed at five of 10 camera-trap sites, showing two activity peaks: before sunset and around midday. Jackal and domestic cat activity time overlap was 0.57, peaking at sunset. All dog captures except one were accompanied by people and 94.5% (n = 239) were on lead.Site-specific coexistence strategies should involve collaboration with domestic cat owners to minimise conflict and maximise human well-being.