The influence of regular removal of black-backed jackals on the efficiency of coyote getters

Black-backed jackals Canis mesomelas are widely considered to be problem animals by small-stock farmers. More information is needed on the effective use of coyote getters to manage problem individuals. During a four-year study on the coast of Northern Cape Province, the influence of the frequent use of coyote getters on their effectiveness during the control of black-backed jackals was investigated. The success obtained with coyote getters and the avoidance of this device by black-backed jackals during three consecutive control operations (1985, 1986 & 1988) were studied. Furthermore, the sex ratio and age structure of jackals during consecutive operations were examined. It was found that the effectivity of coyote getters decreased over time, whilst the avoidance of coyote getters increased with regular control operations. The overall number of adult males killed differed significantly from the number of adult females killed. Rooijakkalse Canis mesomelas word algemeen deur kleinveeboere as probleemdiere beskou. Meer inligting word oor die effektiewe gebruik van gifskieters benodig om probleem-indiwidue te beheer. Gedurende 'n vierjaarstudie op die kus van die Noord-Kaapprovinsie is die invloed van gereelde beheerpogings op die effektiwiteit van gifskieters tydens die beheer van rooijakkalse ondersoek. Die sukses behaal met gifskieters en die vermyding van hierdie apparaat deur rooijakkalse is gedurende drie opeenvolgende beheeroperasies (1985, 1986 & 1988) bestudeer. Verder is die geslagsverhouding en ouderdomstruktuur van rooijakkalse gedurende opeenvolgende operasies ondersoek. Daar is gevind dat die effektiwiteit van gifskieters afneem met tyd, terwyl vermyding van gifskieters deur rooijakkalse toeneem gedurende gereelde beheeroperasies. Die totale aantal volwasse mannetjies het betekenisvol verskil van die aantal volwasse wyfies gedood.