How to Defend Against a Javelina

Javelina are cute little desert animals whose looks belie their true ability to hurt you: They can actually be deadly. A Dutch tourist in Tucson needed emergency surgery after he was attacked by one when he was taken unawares. The javelina bit him twice, slashing through an artery. You don’t have to follow this fate if you are ready to defend against a javelina. A few strategic steps will show you how.

Things You'll Need

  • Sticks
  • Stones
  • Debris
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Instructions

    • 1

      Stop and back up slowly. If you encounter a javelina in the wild, your first action is to keep him as calm as possible and get the heck out of there. If he’s taken by surprise, he may calm down if you abruptly stop moving toward him and then slowly back away, still facing him but obviously on the retreat.

    • 2

      Get off the ground. If the javelina decides to charge at you, your chances of outrunning him are slim to none. So you want to get out of his way. Since you will probably be in the desert when you see this beast, there are not going to be many trees to climb. But you can take refuge by hopping on your car hood or on any nearby bushes or debris. It’s better that the animal slash open your tires than your leg.

    • 3

      Kick at the javelina with the bottom of your shoe. Don’t do this with flip-flops on. A sturdy shoe bottom coming at his head may deter him long enough for you to get to safety.

    • 4

      Use whatever is handy to batter him away. Sticks, stones, garbage cans and a tire iron will all work to fight back with. You don’t have to actually hit the animal with these objects: Just swing them wildly in his direction like a complete madman and he may see that attacking you is really not worth it.

    • 5

      Yell. Making a startling noise is another way to deter a javelina, or at least to surprise him enough to stop, so that you can make your next move.