New mesocarnivore at the doorstep of Central Europe: historic development of golden jackal (Canis aureus) population in Slovenia

Abstract Golden jackal ( Canis aureus ) has dramatically increased its distribution and abundance in Europe. Expansion is now reaching parts of Central, Northern, Western Europe, where occurrences are mainly limited to vagrants or single territorial groups. Currently, it hard predict future development populations these regions, as remains unclear whether environmental conditions here could enable population growth similar the core areas South-eastern We used a combination literature review, opportunistically collected data systematic acoustic surveys study historic golden Slovenia, Central European country that jackals started colonizing 70 years ago which serve model for other countries at expansion frontier due resemblance conditions. After initial waves reached Slovenia 1950s 1980s, presence became more permanent since 2000s. This also period when first groups reproductions were confirmed, but was not until following decade number records start exhibiting an exponential growth. By 2016–2017, minimum densities lowlands 0.06–0.29 groups/10 km 2 , still lower compared Balkans Pannonian Basin. demonstrates can successfully colonize spread across forested Central-European with availability anthropogenic food resources, although such conditions, take several decades sporadic existence before progresses into areas.