Jackals Out of Africa

Jackals Out of Africa traces the lives of Jackals, how they survive in the wilderness and the impact they’ve had on humans.

Like foxes and coyotes, jackals are sometimes depicted as clever sorcerers in the myths and legends – and in others they’re seen as pests feeding on parasite-infested carcasses.

Figuring out their stories and history, a young biologist takes it upon herself to explore the golden jackals – all the way from Egypt to the barren hills of Greece.

Drawn to these mythical mammals, the documentary bounces back and forth between the myths surrounding the jackals and their natural wildlife behaviour.

It is a feature which unravels how the jackal was depicted as the ancient divinity Anubis in Ancient Egypt, spoken of 14 times in the Bible and how they’ll never shy away from scavenging for food.

All in all, Jackals Out of Africa brings together a lot of facts regarding the Jackals but becomes disjointed in its storytelling by pacing back and forth between three interwoven stories: The myths of the jackals, the young scientist journeying across the natural landscapes in her pursuit of the animals and the footage of the jackals themselves.

Because of this back and forth pacing, the documentary showcases a very superficial introduction to the life of a jackal rather than pursuing a more broad view of its wilderness life.