THE INFLUENCE OF REGULAR REMOVAL OF BLACK-BACKED JACKALS ON THE EFFICIENCY OF COYOTE GETTERS

Black-backed jackals Canis mesomelas are widely considered to be probl em animals by small-stock farmers. More information is needed on the e ffective use of coyote getters to manage problem individuals. During a four-year study on the coast of Northern Cape Province, the influence of the frequent use of coyote getters on their effectiveness during t he control of black-backed jackals was investigated. The success obtai ned with coyote getters and the avoidance of this device by black-back ed jackals during three consecutive control operations (1985, 1986 & 1 988) were studied. Furthermore, the sex ratio and age structure of jac kals during consecutive operations were examined. It was found that th e effectivity of coyote getters decreased over time, whilst the avoida nce of coyote getters increased with regular control operations. The o verall number of adult males killed differed significantly from the nu mber of adult females killed.