Biology of the black-backed jackal Canis mesomelas with reference to rabies

The black-backed jackal is represented in rabies records from southern Africa and is suspected of playing an important role in the disease in this region. The basic biology of the species suggests that it does have certain characteristics that could make it an ideal rabies vector. However, the engimatically low incidence of rabies in undisturbed jackal populations suggests that more subtle processes may be involved. It is suggested that jackal society is arranged in the form of cryptic packs and that disruption of the hierachy through persecution may increase agonistic encounters and thence the incidence of rabies. Suggestions are made for the incorporation of the jackal in rabies control programmes without resorting to extermination.