AVOIDANCE OF CYANIDE GUNS BY BLACK-BACKED JACKAL

The role of inherent behavioral patterns and acquired avoidance of cya nide guns in practice by black-backed jackals Canis mesomelas was inve stigated. Two different experiments with captive jackals yielded data on their behavior towards novel objects. These experiments with jackal s included: (a) the reaction of seven 10-month-old individuals exposed to meat only, and a combination of meat and novel objects (cyanide gu ns or balls), and (b) the change in reaction of 12 juveniles and 14 ad ults during consecutive exposures to cyanide guns over time. The avera ge reaction time for jackals to respond to meat was shorter than for m eat plus strange objects. Furthermore, more inexperienced than experie nced jackals were attracted to cyanide guns. In addition, partners of experienced jackals learned to avoid cyanide guns. We conclude that in herent as well as acquired behavioral patterns in jackals could lead t o the less effective use of cyanide guns to remove individuals in area s where control operations are undertaken. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B .V.