Traffic on the westbound lanes of Interstate 10 near Estrella Parkway in Goodyear briefly slowed when a baby javelina wandered into the roadway. Arizona state troopers and Arizona Department of Transportation incident-response crews moved in quickly, guiding the small animal across the center wall and back into the desert so it could return to its habitat without injuries to motorists or wildlife.
Arizona State Troopers found the young javelina on the main line and helped it back to safety, according to FOX 10 Phoenix. The station’s short video shows officers checking traffic, then calmly steering the animal over the divider before letting it sprint off into the open desert.
Troopers and the Arizona Department of Transportation’s incident response team answered calls about the animal and worked together to clear the scene and return the javelina to the wild. The DPS Highway Patrol shared the message, “If you see something, say something!” and urged drivers to call 911 if they spot wildlife or other hazards on the roadway, per Arizona's Family.
Javelina Can Be Aggressive
This roadside rescue may have involved a youngster, but wildlife officials caution that adult javelina can become bold or aggressive if they lose their natural fear of people. The Arizona Game and Fish Department advises residents not to feed or approach javelina, to remove potential food sources, and to discourage the animals from settling in around homes, per Arizona Game and Fish.
What To Do If You Spot Wildlife On The Freeway
Authorities say that if you see wildlife on a freeway, the safest move is to stay inside your vehicle and call 911 so trained responders can handle the situation. The Arizona Department of Transportation likewise urges motorists to remain in their cars and let incident-response teams or law enforcement manage any animal rescues, per Arizona DOT.
No injuries were reported to people or the animal, and officials say the javelina was released back into nearby desert habitat after the short rescue. Crews cleared the westbound lanes, and traffic returned to normal once the scene was secured.
