Sri Lanka’s golden jackals reveal importance of urban wetlands for wildlife

Sri Lanka’s golden jackals reveal importance of urban wetlands for wildlife

SRI JAYAWARDENEPURA KOTTE, Sri Lanka — 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 s…