Urban encounter: First confirmed record of a golden jackal (Canis aureus) in Vienna, Austria

This study reports the first official record of a golden jackal (Canis aureus) in the capital city of Austria, Vienna. The specimen, a young male individual, was discovered as a roadkill in the northern part of the city on January 25^th, 2023. It suffered from notable endoparasite and ectoparasite infestations, as well as bacterial pneumonia. Additional field studies with bioacoustic stimulation and the use of a scat detection dog to search for further indications of presence in the area of the accident revealed no further proof of other golden jackals, indicating a high probability of this animal being a disperser in search of a mating partner. This event exemplifies the species' range expansion, driven by a combination of factors. The significance of this discovery and the challenges within the context of mammal research and urban ecology are discussed.