Page 116 - THE SLOUGHI REVIEW - ISSUE 13
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African golden wolf / Golden jackal (Canis
lupaster, also Canis anthus)*. The African
Golden wolf has only been considered a
separate species within the wolf and jackal
family (Canis) since 2015. Previously, it was
considered a subspecies of the golden
jackal (Canis aureus). However, molecular
genetic analyses in 2011 and 2012 provided
evidence that the African population of the
Golden jackal is more closely related to the
wolf (Canis lupus) than to its supposed
conspecifics in southern Eurasia. This was
recognised by examining the North African
populations of the so-called “Egyptian
jackal” (Canis aureus lupaster), which at
that time was considered a subspecies of
the Golden jackal.
African golden wolf, Canis Lupaster algiriensis,
found in Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia.
© Mourad Harzallah, Wikimedia Commons.
Hunting jackal* with Azawakhs is different from hunting with Sloughis. The
jackals/Golden wolves are very clever and defensive attackers that can even overpower a
mouflon. So the jackal/Golden wolf is only overpowered by the superior numbers of
hunters and dogs (Azawakhs) [71]. In the case of the Sloughi, we have seen that an
experienced male or female can overpower the jackal/Golden wolf alone.
Finally, we see how Henri Lhote describes the hunt for the hare. The hare is centrally
important because it is the central game for hunting by the sighthounds. However, the
hare does not seem to be of as much importance to the Tuareg, and thus to the Azawakh,
as is usually read. Or is this due to Henri Lhote's portrayal?
*Editor’s note: the current state of DNA knowledge is that the animal that was named the Golden jackal is now
the African golden wolf.