83. Golden Jackal, Canis aureus Linnaeus, 1758

(IUCN Red List: LC)

Subspecies: C. a. syriacus Hemprich & Ehrenberg, 1833 .

Distribution: Abundant with a wide distribution in dry open arid lands, forested areas, riparian habitats, short grasslands, and steppe landscapes across the country; rarely in desert habitats. (Fig. 90)

Previous records: Aleppo (Russell 1756), around Tell Abiad (Misonne 1957), around Daraa (Kattinger 1971), near Hamah and Aleppo (Harrison & Bates 1991), vicinity of Idleb, as-Sa’an to the northeast of Salamiyah, Slenfeh (Serra 2004), Palmyra, and Jabal Al-Bilaas (Masseti 2009), around Palmyra (Serra et al. 2009a, b), Abu Qubays, Al-Furunlok (Daoud & Khalil 2009a, b), and along the Euphrates Valley (Aidek 2010; Murdoch & Aidek 2012).

Recent records: Qal’at Jandal (1994), Al-Hasrat, Abu Hardoub, Al Qouriyah, Buqruss, Al-Bseireh, Muhasan, Al-Mri’iyah, as-Suwar, Haweijt Saqur, Haweijt Kate’e, Mheimideh, Al-Misrab, at-Tebni, Maadan, Maskana, Jarablus, Khanaser, Al-Mansurah, ash-Shaddady, ar-Rastan, Tell Tamr (2006–2012), Al-Mozirieb, Koayah and Talila (2010), Mhardeh, Mesiaf, Hammam Wasil, Amreet, Al-Naqeeb, Nimreh, Al-Kadmous, Marmarita, Al-Quneitra, Smeihqiah, B’amrah, Taldarah, Jabla, Sheen, Al-Zwiteineh and Qarn Hilyah (2020–2023).