What to do when you spot a tagged jackal or fox

In 2005 a study began near ­Kimberley that is investigating the ecology, movements, and diets of black-backed jackals, Cape foxes and bat-eared foxes.
Issue date 11 May 2007

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In 2005 a study began near ­Kimberley that is investigating the ecology, movements, and diets of black-backed jackals, Cape foxes and bat-eared foxes.
On two sites – a game farm and a sheep farm – near the Northern Cape and Free State border, more than 70 black-backed jackals, Cape foxes and bat-eared foxes were captured, ear-tagged, radio-collared and released. The study aims to determine the movements of territorial animals, as well as the dispersal distances of young animals.
Landowners in the Northern Cape and Free State are kindly requested to report any dead animals with an ear tag or radio collar as these animals may have moved more than 100km. Landowners are also asked to report any tagged or collared animals seen alive so that these animals can be located using radio telemetry equipment.
These reports will provide ­valuable information on the ­dispersal ­distances of all three species. Landowners may keep the radio ­collar and ear tag from dead ­animals – only the animal number (from the ear tag or radio collar), specific ­location and date are required.
Results of this study will be published in Farmer’s Weekly. – Staff reporter
Contact Eric Herrmann to report any sightings or dead animals with ear tags and/or collars on (053) 807 4839 or 083 311 0299.