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The Tucson Region of the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AGFD) receives from 200 to 400 calls annually regarding urban javelina issues. Calls range from residents simply seeing a javelina to javelina causing property damage to perceived and legitimate safety concerns. This represents more calls than for any other wildlife species and the number will likely increase as urbanization continues. Dealing with these calls requires a substantial amount of personnel time and resources. Our goal is to resolve the issue with the most effective use of personnel, promote the welfare of the javelina, and resolve the issue in a manner that is satisfactory to the public.
This poster reports AGFD javelina management efforts in Tucson, Arizona, regarding self-help activities, educational efforts, and the actual handling of javelina in conflict situations. Relocating javelina in conflict situations has proven ineffective both with respect to individual javelina welfare, as well as resolving the conflict issue. Relocated javelina either died or returned to urban areas and caused additional conflicts. Relocated javelina did not stay in the area where they were released. In areas where javelina were removed, different javelina moved into the vacant habitat and the conflict situation continued.
AGFD has been most successful in urban javelina management when we emphasized the removal of attractants rather than the removal of javelina. We encourage residents to remove or prevent access to attractants such as garbage cans, bird seed, pet food, landscaping and water of any source. Electric fencing has proven effective in preventing access to attractants, while repellents are inconsistently effective. In a proactive effort, we present educational programs on the biology and management of javelina to school groups, community groups and homeowner associations.