An injured golden jackal rescued by Wildlife Alliance is being treated for injuries at the Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Centre, an official from the nonprofit conservation organisation said yesterday.

The Wildlife Rapid Rescue Team rescued the male jackal last month from the home of a civil servant in Phnom Penh’s Meanchey district after receiving a tip-off that the animal was being held captive.

“Its health is poor because it was chained for months. Its right eye was badly injured after it was bit by a big dog,” said Prom Nol, a member of the rescue team, adding that the civil servant had purchased the jackal last year in the countryside.   

The golden jackal is the largest species of jackal and resembles a small wolf.

Due to illegal trading, urbanisation and habitat loss, their population is steadily decreasing, according to Wildlife Alliance.

Nhek Rattanak Pich, director of Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Centre, said the jackal was the last of its kind rescued by the centre in 2012, bringing the total number to eight.

To contact the reporter on this story: Phak Seangly at [email protected]