No golden jackals have been introduced into the French countryside by humans. Instead, the species has naturally migrated across the Balkans, Central Europe, and the Alps over several generations, without any organized release or reintroduction plan. It now lives in parts of France, yet French law has yet to classify it, creating a unique legal situation. The golden jackal arrived in France in 2017 and has since spread across thirteen departments, entirely on its own. French legislation currently does not recognize it as a protected species, nor does it allow it to be hunted, leaving a gap in legal classification. The golden jackal is a canid, or member of the dog family, that is often mistaken for a fox or a wolf. It weighs between 7 and 17 kilograms and has a varied diet, feeding on small mammals like rodents and hares, birds and their eggs, reptiles, amphibians, insects, and even fruits. It typically lives in stable pairs or small family groups and is known for its nocturnal vocalizations, which can reveal its presence before it is seen. Despite its stealth, it can be distinguished from a fox by weight and the shape of its footprints. The golden jackal is native to parts of Asia, Africa, and the southeastern regions of Europe, but it has gradually expanded its range northward and westward since the 1980s. It has been spotted in countries such as Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, and the Czech Republic. This expansion is partly due to its adaptability to a wide range of environments, including dry and wet areas, as long as they are not high mountainous or heavily urbanized. Food sources like discarded waste, livestock remains, and carcasses in fields support its opportunistic feeding habits. However, the presence of wolves in certain areas limits its permanent settlement, as jackals tend to avoid regions where wolves are strong and established. The arrival of the golden jackal in France was first confirmed in 2017 in the Haute-Savoie region, with further sightings recorded in other departments, including the Bouches-du-Rhône and Deux-Sèvres. As of early 2025, the French Office for Biodiversity has documented its presence in thirteen departments, covering all regions of France except Burgundy-Franche-Comté. Each sighting is carefully verified by experts to avoid confusion with foxes, especially when images are of low quality. Currently, the golden jackal is not classified under any standard category in French environmental law. It cannot be hunted or trapped, as doing so would risk a fine under the Environment Code. It is not considered a game species, nor is it fully protected, placing it in a legal gray area. At the European level, it is listed in Annex V of the Habitats, Fauna and Flora directive, which requires member states to maintain its population in a favorable conservation status, but it does not receive strict protection. While neighboring countries like Germany, Italy, and Switzerland have protective measures, France has not yet decided on its status. This uncertainty has sparked debate within nature protection groups, with some calling for a protective status similar to that of the wolf. For now, the golden jackal is still considered a colonizing species rather than a permanent resident. Pierre-Yves Quenette, head of the conservation service at the French Office for Biodiversity, stated that no reproduction has been confirmed in France yet. However, the observation of two adults together in the Camargue last November suggests the possibility of a family group forming. The closest confirmed reproduction of the species was in the Black Forest, Germany, in 2022. If young jackals are born in France, the species will transition from visitor to resident, but French law will still need to catch up to this change.