It’s A Wild Life

I had a javelina in my front yard last week. It hung around for about a week. Perfectly content to wallow under my bushes, stroll the front yard and snack on my neighbors’ grass.

It was not bothering anyone per se, but the dogs were rather activated by its presence. They seemed to take umbrage that this peccary was horning in on their territory and had the audacity to simply stare at them as they barked and swatted through the fence. What gall!!

It has been in and around the neighborhood since December 21, 2025. I know this because my friend photographed it that day and reported having been huffed at for acting the paparazzi. We have been watching it move about in a two mile area. It was in her complex before moving over to larger and greener properties on the other side of the fence, thus proving the adage that the grass often seems greener there. It is and more abundant.

They usually travel in herds (called squadrons), can be aggressive and are known to charge when threatened, but this one was rather all alone. That made me feel greater compassion for its plight. Our area has a plethora of coyotes, grey foxes and squirrels we even have a bobcat family as well as raccoons, but I have only ever seen a javelina once before. That group gave birth in the alleyway to my north and only hung around for two days.

One of the neighbors over the fence has a roof cam which has turned into a trail cam. That is how we know the bobcat (which used to be solitary) now has a family. Her camera has recorded the goings and comings of all the creatures mentioned except the javelina. It would be hard pressed to get up to the roof.

I called Game and Fish for advice. I knew before calling that they would do nothing to remove the animal. I called a few years back when a mountain lion strolled through my backyard. Their advice was to dilute ammonia to a 10% solution and spray it about.

Five gallons of diluted ammonia and 36 hours later the visitor moved on to the next yard somewhere else. I had by then called the wrangler that will come out to remove wildlife for a fee. My goal was to perhaps relocate it in the desert where it might find a squadron to travel with and cease to be alone. The ammonia did the trick and the wrangler never called back so I guess it is perfect in the universe.

The dogs are much quieter. The walks have resumed. Now we just keep an eye out for the wily coyotes and their Acme supplies. City living can be exciting.