Tanzania: Ngorongoro Crater – Golden Wolves & Jackals
Ngorongoro Crater is a carnivore haven, so here’s two more species we spotted here. The first was the Golden jackal, which has been recently renamed into the African Golden Wolf, as a species genetically distinct from jackals, although similar in appearance. Having spotted several adults roaming across the open plains, we then found the actual den – two parents were lying outside in a distance, while eight small pups came out and played. A good hour was spent here observing the pups run around. The other species was a more common Black-backed jackal with a distinct black back and similar mini-wolf-like appearance. Both golden and black-backed jackals are usually seen in a pair or a family, as they form monogamous relationship, make a den (usually abandoned aardvark hole), and defend their territory, while raising young.
