Taxidermy Himalayan Jackal Head
by Rowland Ward
by Rowland Ward
Log #5682
Latin: Canis aureus indicus
Size: Measures approx. 31cm x 21cm x 26cm
Description: Rare taxidermy Jackal head on original ebonised shield. Plaque at base reads:
Bombay Hunt 8.2.1942 5 mile point "Sanatogen" Aged 25 Years.
Lone jackals expelled from their pack have been known to form commensal relationships with tigers. These solitary jackals are known as kol-bahl. They will attach themselves to a particular tiger, trailing it at a safe distance in order to feed on the big cat's kills. A kol-bahl will even alert a tiger to a kill with a loud pheal.
Although sometimes depicted as a cowardly creature due to its scavenging, the Indian Jackal is revered amongst Natives to have courage equal to a Lion.
Rowland Ward Ltd. of Piccadilly became and remained for many years the largest and most famous taxidermy firm in the world. Rownland Ward (1848-1912), formed his own publishing company, and between 1880 and 1911 published over 30 books. One of his books 'The Sportsmans Biritish Handbook' contained over 300 illustrations of birds all of which had been mounted in the Rowland Ward studios specifically to be photographed for the book.