News
Sightings of elusive golden jackal underline importance of Colombo’s wetlands
View(s):By Malaka Rodrigo
Recently, the wetlands of Thalangama and Kimbulawela have become the stage for the remarkable sightings of the elusive golden jackal (Canis aureus), a species rarely found in Colombo suburbs. While these sightings in the capital city of Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte are exciting, they also serve as a crucial reminder of the vital role wetlands play in supporting biodiversity.
One such sighting occurred on February 1 at the Thalangama Wetlands, where bird enthusiast Chathura De Silva came across a family of three golden jackals. Visiting the wetlands early in the morning to photograph birds, Mr. De Silva had been waiting for the right moment to photograph a flock of Munias, when something else caught his eye as he peered through his camera — a dog-like figure. On closer inspection however, he realised it was not a dog but a golden jackal.
A chance encounter: Golden Jackals at Thalangama. Pic by Chathura De Silva
“I had been waiting silently to photograph the birds, therefore the jackals had come very close without noticing me,” Mr. De Silva said. “I’ve seen a golden jackal here once before, but it scurried off before I could capture a photo,” he said.
This sighting took place just one day before World Wetlands Day on February 2, highlighting the urgent need to protect these crucial habitats.
Golden jackals are a rare sight in Colombo’s suburbs, but another notable encounter was reported two months earlier on December 4, last year at the Kimbulawela Wetlands, close to Parliament. A pair of jackals was spotted at around 6.45 a.m. by birdwatcher Priyanath Kotalawela. “There’s a paddy field at Kimbulawela, but on this particular morning, the farmers were absent. Perhaps this allowed the jackals to move freely,” he speculated.
For the next three days, the jackals were repeatedly observed in the same area, leading Mr. Kotalawela to believe they belonged to a family with a home range near Pamunuwa. Though he had been trying to photograph these elusive canines for over two years at a location one of his friends had tipped him off about, they had always managed to evade his lens.
Despite their rarity in Colombo, golden jackals still persist in wetland habitats around the city, according to Sampath Seneviratne, a professor at the University of Colombo. “Additionally there is a scattered populationin the wetlands around Malabe, and roadkill incidents have been reported along the Galanigama stretch of the Southern Expressway,” he noted.
Prof. Seneviratne, along with researchers Uthpalawarna Jayaweera and Chandika Jayaratne, co-authored the comprehensive monograph The Way of the Jackal, which explores the species’ taxonomy, behaviour, vocalisations, and ecological significance.
Typically found in Sri Lanka’s dry zone, golden jackals have long been part of the island’s natural heritage and folklore. Wetlands provide them with an ideal hunting ground, offering both ample food and shelter.
However, jackal populations across Sri Lanka are in decline. Prof. Seneviratne estimates that over the past 30 to 40 years, their numbers have dropped by as much as 60%, with local extinctions occurring in several regions.
These recent sightings underscore the importance of preserving Colombo’s remaining wetlands—not only for the jackals but for the many other species that depend on these ecosystems for survival.
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