Following the recent javelina attacks, Arizona Game and Fish Department Education Program Manager Amy Burnett has spoken a number of times about wildlife safety and how to coexist with Fountain Hills’ wilder residents.

While the recent extreme behavior from javelinas was linked to neighbors feeding the animals, Burnett said that Fountain Hills residents can do a number of things to help prevent incidents like the ones in April and May from occurring again.

Burnett shared her lecture twice recently, once at the mid-May Town Council meeting and, a week later, at a community forum geared specifically at living with wildlife.

For those who wish to view the presentation in full, it is available at fh.az.gov. At the bottom of the page is a link to the “Wildlife Safety Presentation,” where a link to the video can be found.

At the Town Council meeting, Burnett made it clear that animal safety is the responsibility of every community member.

“We have a village and are all responsible for wildlife safety,” she said. “[The recent attacks] were very bad, but they could have been a lot worse.”

Burnett said that, living on the edge of the desert, it’s not uncommon for a larger amount of wildlife traffic to make its way into town. But just because the animals come close, Burnett said that it is not a good idea to try and make them come closer. Feeding wildlife, for instance, is a major no-no in Burnett’s book.

She said that additional precautions can be made around the home in order to be less inviting to wildlife. Leaving open pools of water or exposed trash bags, for instance, is an inviting sign to desert critters. Certain types of plants, too, should not be grown where animals like javelina will have easy access to them.

“Some things should be avoided or done with caution that unintentionally invites wildlife,” Burnett added.

Additional information and tips for around the home can be found at azgfd.com/wildlife. For javelina-specific information, visit azgfd.com/wildlife/livingwith/javelina.

For those who don’t see what the big deal is, Burnett reminded visitors to her lectures that, outside of birds or squirrels, feeding wildlife is a petty offense.

“Feeding animals creates bolder behavior, which can result in attacks,” she added.

For questions, Burnett can be reached at aburnett@azgfd.gov or 480-324-3548.

Burnett stressed that it is important to report anyone seen feeding wildlife. To do so anonymously, call 1-800-352-0700.