JACKAL, WOLF, WILD DOG

Common Name: Golden jackal

Order: Carnivora Family: CANIDAE
Scientific Name: Canis aureus indicus
Bangla Name: Shial / Pati shial

Body colour varies from greyish to pale brown or fawn, most countryside specimens are brownish. It has buffy shoulders, legs and ears, bushy tail with blackish tip. Jackal is often heard at dusk and dawn, the loud call hukka-hua, kek-kek-ka-hoo, etc., repeated several times and others from the neighbouring areas join the chorus. This keeps the pariah dog barking from one end of the village to the other. When frightened it produces feu-feu sound. Head and body 70 cm, tail 25 cm and weighs approximately 10 kg.

The golden jackal used to be one of the commonest of mammals found all over the country, including forests and hilly terrains. The countryside population is disappearing at a faster rate due to the loss of pasture land and backyard thickets. Nowadays in most places one rarely hears the call of a jackal. The urban population is also vanishing due to obvious reasons.

Common Name: Wolf

Order: Carnivora Family: CANIDAE
Scientific Name: Canis lupus pallipes
Bangla Name: Nekrey

Greyish body with yellowish tinge, line on the centre of the back blackish, tail tip blackish, underside whitish grey, resembles a big dog like an Alsatian. Forelimbs with 5 digits, each having sharp, permanently fixed and open claws. Canine teeth prominent. Head and body 95 cm, tail 40 cm and weighs about 18 kg. Massive build, large head and powerful teeth distinguishes it from rest of the canids.

District Gazetteer report suggests that it was present in Noakhali District about a century back. Olivier (1979) suggests that it may still be present in Chittagong District. So far there is no sight record of this animal in Bangladesh in the recent past and Dr. Reza believes there isn't anymore present in Bangladesh. According to Mitra (1957) one person was killed by a wolf in the government forest of Noakhaii in the year 1943-44. This may be considered as the last authentic record of the species in this country. It is feared extinct in Bangladesh.

Common Name: Bengal Fox

Order: Carnivora Family: CANIDAE
Scientific Name: Vulpes bengalensis
Bangla Name: Khenk Shial

Much paler, smaller and lighter than the jackal. It has a greyish back, face and limbs are brownish grey, underparts white with reddish tinge, neck and cheek whitish, backside of prominent ears yellowish. The limbs are rufous, colour of the body shows variation with season and age of the animal. The tail is much longer and more furry than the jackal. Head and body 55 cm, tail 35 cm and weighs 3 kg. Smaller stature, greyish colour and more secretive nature separates it from the jackal.

The Bengal fox is rather uncommon but possibly found in most of the districts barring the coastal Barisal, Noakhaii and Patuakhali. Dr. Reza have found it in the coastal areas of Chittagong District having hilly terrains at the background. Its population size is also decreasing with time.

Common Name: Dhole / Red Dog / Wild Dog

Order: Carnivora Family: CANIDAE
Scientific Name: Cuon alpinus dukhunensis
Bangla Name: Ramkutta / Lal kukur

The dhole stands between a Wolf and a jackal. Back reddish or red mixed with brown and paler underparts. Tail more furry than the other canids, reddish with black tip. Limbs heavily built, body longish, slim and high. Ears with broadened apex , soles broad, angles of digits provided with long hairs. The number of molars less than the domestic dog, lower jaw devoid of last molar, teats 12 or more (dogs have 10). The forepart is less elevated than the hindquarters in standing position. Lives in small pack. Head and body 90 cm, tail 40 cm, height at shoulder 45 cm, weight 20 kg.

Once occurred in the scrub and scattered forest of North Bangldesh, in all forest types excluding the Sundarbans and coastal forest. It is still present in small numbers in the semi and evergreen forests of Sylhet, Chittagong and Hill Tracts districts.