Golden jackal's mysterious arrival in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone

In the vicinity of the abandoned village of Lubianka in the western Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, animal tracks were observed that had never been seen before. The foot of this quadruped is compact, with almost no space between the pads.

Scientists from the Chernobyl Radiation and Ecological Biosphere Reserve observed, near the abandoned village of Lubianka in the western Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, tracks of an animal that has never been seen in this area before. It's a common or golden jackal.

This animal, a canine family member, belongs to the genus of wolves. It resembles them but possesses a distinctly narrower muzzle and more pointed features. It is smaller in size.

The jackal has golden, short, coarse fur that ranges from gold to pale yellow and transitions to brown at the limb's ends.

It feeds on carrion and quickly adapts to new environments. Consequently, since the start of the 21st century, it has rapidly expanded its geographical range, reaching as far as Chernobyl.

Scientists from the Chernobyl Radiation and Ecological Biosphere Reserve, in a published statement, highlighted that - although reserve staff has already sighted the animal - capturing its image has yet to be accomplished.

Evidence of distinct paw prints was previously discovered. Notably, these differ from wolf prints in that they are more compact, and there is scarcely any gap between the pads.