Al Ain park gets its day of the jackal

AL AIN // The Al Ain Wildlife Park and Resort has acquired six black-backed jackals - four females and two males. The jackals, indigenous to the southern and eastern regions of Africa, are the first to be exhibited at the park, known for taking in endangered species and other animals whose numbers are dwindling. The park is home to about 1,300 animals. Though the black-backed jackals - the most aggressive of the three species of jackals - are not endangered, they are often hunted for their fur. Farmers also believe jackals kill their livestock.

The black-backed jackals are among the few animals that mate for life. That spells good news for two of the four females; the other two will have to hope the wildlife park adds more jackals, although it has no current plans to do so. The animals are being housed near the popular white lion display that opened in January. Beginning on May 1, the park will be closed in the morning and will open from 5pm until midnight.

ealghalib@thenational.ae