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 Yulian Konstantinov                                                 Varna, October 2024             

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My work with the jackals of the Bulgarian bank of the Lower Danube would have been impossible without the support of the National Museum of Natural History in Sofia, Bulgaria (https://www.nmnhs.com/). Not being a zoologist myself, I owe a great debt of gratitude to Prof. Nikolai Spassov of NMHS, a world-known authority in carnivore studies. In daily conversation from the camp, Nikolai helped me to interpret jackal behaviour and gain precious knowledge about this elusive creature. The Museum provided me with much needed logistic and moral support. Still, the main burden fell on my family and friends. My sons Bogdan and Nikola together with their dedicated friend Radmil Eliseev (Radi) took on themselves the arduous task of transporting and setting up the camp, year after year. Ivo Stanev, professional fisherman of the Village of Stanevo, generously helped carrying the heavy equipment in his boat, as well as bring in supplies during the many months of seasonal fieldwork. Rossen Stoychev of the muesli-producing family factory ‘Familia Nikola’ shouldered the monumental task of repairing the mechanical equipment after each season. The food for the jackals, principally muesli and oat-flakes, came also from the factory. Sons Bogdan and Nikola, together with my wife Maria, would keep the camp going during my absence. And finally, my greatest gratitude goes to my daughter Nikolina. She helped me generously with the more expensive pieces of equipment, with her dedication to the camp, and last but not least – for her initiative and effort to popularize the family link with the jackals by writing this blog.

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