First record of multiple breeding and communal nursing within one social unit of European golden jackal (Canis aureus, L. 1758) in a low density area in NE Italy

Purpose/Objective: For species listed in Annex V of Habitats Directive, EU Member States shall, if deemed necessary, take measures only because of surveillance work, to ensure that their exploitation is compatible with maintaining them in a favorable conservation status. However, game management plans are elaborated without specific data on local density, at official rates overpassing 90–100 % (i.e. Romania), while the main reproductive parameters of the species are not yet understood. Our aim was to investigate reproductive biology at the den site as a key element in defining lethal control policies or conservation measures. In Italy the species legal status is strictly protected. Material/Methods: The study area is located in NE Italy on the lower Isonzo River catchment. First, we calculated the density performing a preliminary survey combining bioacoustics monitoring method (Giannatos 2004) and jackal litters opportunistic occurrence with camera trapping. Afterwards, we monitored 24 potentially suitable burrows during 2021 and 2022 breeding seasons with IR sensor cameras. Results: The local density was 0.53–0.65 groups / 10 km2. One of the monitored burrows has been occupied by three adult jackals (one male, two females). In this site, one camera trap was active from 20/02/2022 to 30/06/2022, with 112 days of recordings and 18 days (four interruptions) without recording. 1814 videos of jackals were collected. Significant observations: 04/04 – last record of the dominant female pregnant; 09/04 – the dominant female brought inside the burrow 8 new-born jackals; 10/04 – a second female (helper) was observed at den site from this date; 26/04 – first den exit of a cub; 29/04 – the helper female appeared pregnant; 02/05 – the helper female was recorded allo-suckling from this date; 20/05 – the dominant female brought away from the den 3 inept new-born cubs, whom 10 min later were brought back inside by the helper. Later in the day, the dominant female moved away 4 new-borns; 21/05 – the helper female brought at least one new-born back into the den; 28/05 – jackals leaved the den. Conclusion: We documented the first case of multiple breeding and communal nursing within one group of golden jackals. The dominant female gave birth to 8 cubs between the 4th and 9th of April and the period between gestation and independent den exit was 17–22 days. The two females cooperated in rearing the first litter throughout the denning period (49 days). A second litter of 4 cubs appeared related to the same den, as result of parturition by the helper female. The birth of this litter occurred between the 29th of April and 2nd of May. Based on observations of threatening / aggressive behaviors from the male toward the helper, polygyny might be excluded. Apparently the second litter did not survived. Our findings open new scenarios and questions about the reproductive biology and applied ecology of C. aureus in areas with low density and low mortality.