Unusual object relocation by the Golden Jackal (Canis aureus): A case study from South Pelion, Greece

This study documents an unusual behavioral observation of a golden jackal (Canis aureus) in South Pelion, Greece, where the jackal relocated a mobile phone from an olive farm to a dense forest 60 meters away. The phone, handled by the owner after consuming a sweet item, was found intact with minor scratches, likely due to its protective case. This behavior occurred in an area with an increasing jackal population, where locals reported daytime sightings of jackals engaging more closely with human settlements. Possible explanations for the relocation include olfactory attraction, exploratory play, or instinctive caching. This case highlights the growing adaptability of golden jackals to human environments and their ability to interact with non-food human objects. The findings suggest a need for further research on jackal cognition and human-wildlife interactions in areas of increasing jackal habituation to human presence.