In the soft first light of dawn, wildlife photographer Priyanath Kotalawela observed a golden silhouette gliding across the wet grasslands in the Thalangama Wetland, not far from the heart of Sri Lanka’s administrative capital of Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte. It was the size of a midsize stray dog, but despite having somewhat similar features, the silhouette turned out to be a golden jackal (Canis aureus), a species not often associated with urban landscapes at present.

The golden jackal was a common sight at the edges of many a Sri Lankan village in the past, but as land use patterns continue to change, the animals have disappeared from most urban settings despite common sightings in national parks. As a result, the recent sightings of these jackals in a Colombo suburb wetland have triggered interest among Sri Lankan conservationists and wildlife enthusiasts alike.

To read the full story visit https://news.mongabay.com/2025/05/sri-lankas-golden-jackals-reveal-importance-of-urban-wetlands-for-wildlife/

Photo credit: Chadika Jayaratne