Team Herald
MARGAO: In an unusual and concerning turn of events, two jackals were recently found dead on the Salcete coastline, raising alarm among wildlife conservationists. The wild canines washed up at Varca and Mobor beaches, marking the first recorded instances of jackal strandings on Goa's coastline, according to experts.
Wildlife conservationists are urging a calm but thorough investigation to determine the cause of their deaths. Benhail Antao, a well-known wildlife rescuer in Goa, emphasised the importance of understanding the situation without causing unnecessary panic.
"Jackals are harmless to humans. If there's a jackal in front of you or in the jungle around you or on the beach, they will never come to attack a human being," Antao explained, adding that the discovery of their bodies on the beach is highly unusual. "It’s likely they died inland and were carried to the sea by rivers, but it’s crucial to determine the cause of death,
as it could indicate a broader issue affecting the local wildlife population."
Antao noted that while the sighting of jackals in Varca and Mobor is rare, it’s not unprecedented. "Jackals have been in the area before. They’re important for the ecosystem, and their population had declined significantly in the past, so their presence is a positive sign of recovery." Wildlife experts are calling on the Forest Department to conduct a detailed investigation into the cause of the jackal deaths. This investigation is necessary to prevent further fatalities and to ensure that no infectious diseases are spreading among the stray animal population in the area.
The deaths are part of a worrying trend of wildlife fatalities in Goa over the past few years. Conservationists have noted an increase in deaths across various species, including both terrestrial and marine animals. This has sparked a debate about the need for more comprehensive wildlife monitoring and conservation strategies, particularly in non-protected areas.
Conservationists are advocating for better collaboration between the territorial and wildlife divisions within the Forest Department to address the issues contributing to biodiversity loss. "Lack of food and safety may drive species into other habitats and cause such incidents. A holistic monitoring approach and an overall wildlife conservation strategy, especially in non-protected areas, is key," said one conservationist.
The incidents have also underscored the importance of reporting networks in monitoring changes in local biodiversity. Conservationists are urging the Forest Department to share overall data on wildlife deaths, including those of dolphins, sea birds, and snakes, to gain a clearer understanding of the broader ecological picture.
The deaths have prompted questions about the impact of urbanisation on wildlife habitats in Goa. " No doubt all the hill and plateau cutting is displacing terrestrial animals," noted another wildlife expert. "We really don't know anything since the department just buried the jackal without conducting a post-mortem. But the fact that terrestrial species are losing habitat is proven, and that habitats are interconnected," they added.
As urbanisation continues to encroach on natural spaces, conservationists warn that without comprehensive conservation efforts, Goa's rich biodiversity could face significant threats in the near future.