Peccaries

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Peccaries, or javelinas abound in the southwest deserts. They are not pigs though they resemble them. The problem with peccaries is that they are more or less lovable and people feel sorry for them because they are being ousted from their natural territory by suburban development and could starve. So kind and sensitive people feed them.

Whenever people feed wild animals, the animals lose their fear of humans. In pack animals like peccaries, this can create serious problems. Javelinas (Spanish for spear, referring to their sharp incisors) usually travel in groups, sometimes quite large. If upset, they can charge and hurt or kill dogs, babies or even adult humans. This is very rare but documented.

It is better for the human community for members to avoid feeding javelinas, just as it is better not to feed raccoons or bears. Feeding them contributes to their dependency on human largesse and reduces their ability to forage for themselves. There is not universal agreement on this, but it could be said that feeding wild animals contributes to their domestication and that assumes considerable responsibility to the feeder to maintain support for the now dependant yet still dangerous animals. Click on title for detailed information.
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