REPRODUCTION OF THE GOLDEN JACKAL (CANIS AUREUS MOREOTICUS I. GEOFFROY SAINT HILAIRE, 1835) IN JULIAN PRE-ALPS, WITH NEW DATA ON ITS RANGE-EXPANSION IN THE HIGH-ADRIATIC HINTERLAND (MAMMALIA, CARNIVORA, CANIDAE)

Data on the recent expansion of the golden jackal Canis aureus moreoticus I. Geoffroy Saint Hilaire, 1835, in the Italian-Slovenian Pre-Alps are presented, updating the knowledge on the distribution of this species in the High Adriatic hinterland. In this area, the species has recently increased its presence, with evidence of the range-stabilization of local family-groups both in Italy and in Slovenia. Since 2003 this canid has established some traditional howling spots in various zones of the Julian Pre-Alps, reproducing with certainty at least in 2007. This picture seems to be congruent with a new bland trend of range expansion of the species that seems to encompass the whole Italian-Slovenian Karst and the adjacent Italian-Slovenian Julian Pre-Alps. The conservation of this trans-national fragile population of golden jackals seems to be entirely dependent to public awareness campaigns directed to the hunters, both in Italy and in Slovenia.