Black-Backed Jackal at Cap Cross

In Namibia, a small population of black backed jackals (Canis mesomelas) have adapted their behaviour to live in the harsh environment of the Skeleton costs. Thanks to the fur seal colony in Cape Cross, Namibia, the jackals are mainly hunting the young pups of one of the biggest colony in the world.

The harsh environnement of the Skeleton cost...
Skull of black backed jackal (Canis mesomelas) in the skeleton cost, Namibia.
Looking for prey...
The group of black backed jackal (Canis mesomelas) in Cape Cross, Namibia, live mainly on pups from the fur seals colony (Arctocephalus pusillus).
On the prowl...
Black backed jackal (Canis mesomelas) are opportunists and will grab any seals pups that is away from her mother.
Successful hunt...
When a seal pup is killed, the Black backed jackal (Canis mesomelas) takes it away from the colony to eat it.
Hierarchy to be respected...
As social pack dogs, the Black backed jackals (Canis mesomelas) have a strict hierarchy and the strongest show their dominance if a wicker individual trespass the rules...
Fight for food...
Black backed jackal (Canis mesomelas) often fight during the feast and the dominants are always the firsts to be served.
Hierarchy to be respected...
During the feast, the Black backed jackal (Canis mesomelas) adopt submissive posture to avoid conflicts...
Black backed jackal with a cape gull,
Black backed jackal (Canis mesomelas) having caught a cape gull (Larus dominicanus), skeleton cost...
The jackals and the brown hyena,
The discret brown hyena (Hyaena brunnea) being harassed by three Black backed jackal (Canis mesomelas) near Cape Cross Reserve, Namibia.
Jackal Project monitoring,
Scientist from the Jackal Project, radio tracking the Black backed jackal (Canis mesomelas) on the Skeleton cost, Namibia.
Jackal at dusk...
Black backed jackal (Canis mesomelas) walking at dusk on the Skeleton cost.
Black back jackal pursuit...
A dominant male in pursuit of intruder with a stolen bone...
Urban jackal,
Black backed jackal (Canis mesomelas) in an urban area, Windhoek, Namibia.
Howling in the mist,
Every morning, the mist is covering the Skeleton cost and the Namib desert, this is the only source of humidity in this harsh environment.
Submissive posture...
To avoid conflict, the wicker individuals adopt submissive posture in front of the dominants...
Portrait of a Black backed jackal,
Portrait of a Black backed jackal,
Mangy jackal,
Wicker or sick jackals are roaming the beach of Cape Cross to try to find some scraps. Here, a mangy individual is trying is luck with a healthy female fur seal.
Jackals fighting,
Howling jackal,