Black-backed Jackal - Cheetah Outreach

Ambassador for raising awareness of the Black-backed Jackal and other small predators on South African farmland. Highlights the importance of the Livestock Guarding Dog Program which results in removal of shooting, snares, traps and poison.

Moya was born at Lory Park Animal Sanctuary near Johannesburg on 26 August, 2008, and joined Cheetah Outreach at three months of age as a Black-backed Jackal Ambassador. He is very affectionate with the handlers that have know him since he was a pup, making them part of the “pack”. Moya means ‘wind’ in Xhosa.

As the name suggests, the black-backed jackal is characterized by a black saddle-shaped patch on its back, contrasting with its tan or reddish-brown fur on the rest of its body. They have a bushy tail and pointed ears.

Black-backed jackals are opportunistic omnivores with a diet that includes small mammals, birds, insects, fruits, and carrion. They are known to scavenge, and their diet can vary based on the availability of food.

These jackals are primarily nocturnal, meaning they are most active during the night. They are social animals, often forming monogamous pairs, and they may live in family groups. Their communication includes a variety of vocalizations such as howls, yips, and whines.

While they are relatively small predators themselves, black-backed jackals can face threats from larger carnivores such as leopards, hyenas, and larger jackal species.