Čagalj (Canis aureus L.) je divlji pripadnik porodice pasa te autohtona divljač jugoistočne i srednje Europe, a u Hrvatskoj naseljava i mediteranski i kontinentalni dio, uz stalni porast brojnosti. U ovom istraživanju ispitivani su uzorci izmeta čagljeva s odlagališta otpada na rubnom dijelu grada Trpnja na Pelješcu, gdje se čagljevi uobičajeno hrane hranom antropogenog podrijetla. Parazitološkim pretragama izmeta utvrdili smo invadiranost u 75% istraživanih uzoraka, pri čemu je
u svim pozitivnim uzorcima utvrđena prisutnost jajašaca oblića. U najvećem broju slučajeva pronašli smo jajašca strongilidnog tipa (60,71%), dok smo jajašca oblića Toxocara canis i Trichuris vulpis ustvrdili u 14,29% i 10,71% uzoraka. Jajašca Capillaria aerophila i Strongyloides spp. smo ustvrdili u 3,57% uzoraka. U istom postotku smo ustvrdili i oociste Eimeria spp., koje su najvjerojatnije pasivno unesene u probavni sustav. Dobiveni rezultati, a posebice izostanak trakavica kao inače redovitog nalaza u čagljeva, upućuju na promjenu u prehrambenim navikama i hranjenje hranom antropogenog podrijetla, što pogoduje invadiranosti parazitima s izravnim ciklusom razvoja. Za potvrđivanje ove pretpostavke neophodno je proširiti istraživanje na druge dijelove poluotoka (naglasak na prirodnoj ishrani čagljeva) i na druga godišnja doba.Golden jackal (Canis aureus L.) is a wild member of the family Canidae and an autochthonous game species of Southeast and Central Europe. In Croatia, it inhabits both Mediterranean and continental habitats, with constant population increases. This study analysed jackal faeces collected near the town of Trpanj (Pelješac Peninsula), where feed of anthropogenic origin constitutes the majority of the jackal diet. Parasitological analysis revealed that 75% of analysed samples harboured at least one parasite species. Nematodes were detected in all positive samples. The strongylid type of eggs were most frequently detected (60.71%) while Toxocara canis and Trichuris vulpis eggs were detected in 14.29% and 10.71% of samples, respectively. Eggs of Capillaria aerophila and Strongyloides spp. were detected in 3.75% of samples. The same result was obtained for oocysts of Eimeria spp., which is likely the result of feeding on infected prey. These results, particularly the lack of cestodes as a typical member of the jackals’ parasite fauna, suggest a shift in diet with towards predominant feed of anthropogenic origin that favours parasites with a direct life cycle. To confirm this hypothesis, samples from jackals inhabiting other parts of the peninsula (emphasis on a natural diet) and during different times of year should be conducted
