An Arizona golf course is under attack from a squadron of pig-like creatures

CNN – As the sun sets at Seven Canyons, a stunning golf club in the United States, eerie noises fill the air. The sound of growling, clacking teeth, and the rumble of hooves reverberate off the red-rock canyon walls. When morning comes, the aftermath of the destruction caused by the culprits is revealed. The 7,000-yard course is scattered with sprawling mounds of damaged turf, like open wounds, soil and grass scattered across otherwise pristine fairways. The ones responsible for this chaos are the javelina, a pig-like creature with sharp teeth that has gained viral fame in the town of Sedona.

Dave Bisbee, the general manager of Seven Canyons, compares encountering the javelina to seeing The Tasmanian devil. Turf flies everywhere as the creatures fight and grunt, causing significant damage despite their small size. Javelina, also known as collared peccary or musk hogs, are members of the peccary family. These mammals originated in South America and migrated north into Arizona and other Southwestern states of the US. They have a white collar around their gray-black fur, grow three to four feet long and 19 inches tall, and weigh between 40 and 60 pounds. Javelina typically live for an average of seven and a half years.

While common in desert areas, javelina can adapt to various habitats. They have a predominantly herbivorous diet but will also eat garbage, insects, and worms. Seven Canyons golf course, located at the base of the Vermilion Cliffs and surrounded by the Coconino National Forest, provides an irresistible buffet for javelina looking to fatten up for winter. The grass on the course is rich in nutrients, and water hazards are abundant. Earthworms in the top few inches of grass are particularly enticing to the javelina. These creatures are most active after dark, leading to herds of 25 to 35 individuals wreaking havoc on the turf in search of a midnight snack.

The dry summer in Arizona, with no rain between May 20 and August 20, has worsened the situation. Bisbee, who has dealt with the peccaries multiple times during his tenure at Seven Canyons, describes the current spike in javelina activity as a greenkeeping nightmare. The club has been making salvage efforts to repair the damage, similar to fixing large golf divots. However, it is illegal to injure or kill javelina under state law, even if they are causing problems. Removal by the Arizona Game and Fish Department is only a last resort, as most javelina do not survive relocation.

To discourage their presence, it is advised to not feed the animals and to use fencing and walls to keep them out. The staff at Seven Canyons have come together to plug the gaps, but the upcoming weeks remain uncertain. With the non-growing season approaching, the golf course will remain in its current condition until spring. There is hope that as temperatures drop, the worms will burrow deeper into the soil, making them inaccessible to the javelina’s keen sense of smell. However, the financial impact of the javelina invasion will leave lasting scars. Bisbee estimates labor costs to reach between $150,000 and $300,000, with an additional $50,000 to $75,000 spent on restoration equipment.

Despite the challenges, there has been a silver lining – viral fame. Bisbee received an influx of messages after his assistant superintendent, Emily Casey, posted a video of the javelina’s destruction on social media. The video quickly gained millions of views and caught the attention of major media outlets. Bisbee is amused by the fact that, among all the diverse species at Seven Canyons, it is the small pig-like creatures that have captured the internet’s attention. He sees this as an opportunity to raise awareness about the javelina and put Seven Canyons on the map for millions of people who were previously unaware of its existence.

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Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller takes readers to the greens with his passion for golf. He offers coverage of major golf tournaments, player achievements, and insights into the sport’s rich history, making him a trusted source for golf enthusiasts.