Edward Tomassetti
Edward Tomassetti, a doctoral student with the Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management, is helping establish a scientific foundation for the conservation and management of collared peccary, a native wildlife species that has historically been understudied and overlooked.
Although small populations of collared peccary, also known as javelina, can be found in the Edwards Plateau and Rolling Plains ecoregions, the species’ stronghold is in the South Texas Plains and Trans Pecos.
“My research focuses on the population dynamics of javelina in South Texas,” Tomassetti said. “I will use historic data sets dating back to the early 1970s for population reconstruction models and data from camera, helicopter, roadside surveys and survival estimates from GPS collared javelina to understand population dynamics.”
Tomassetti said there has not been any systematic, long-term monitoring of javelina populations, so the knowledge gained through his research will be essential to informing science-based conservation decisions moving forward.
“My analysis of specific study sites will contribute to a broader integrated population analysis, offering a comprehensive view of javelina population trends across the South Texas Plains,” he said.
Despite javelina being a native wildlife species, Tomassetti said many misconceptions surround the animal, including the belief they are either pigs or rodents.
“In reality, the javelina belongs to its own distinct peccary family, Tayassuidae,” he said. “The more time I spend studying them, the more I appreciate their uniqueness. I hope this research helps highlight their significance, inspiring greater awareness and respect for the species.”
Last year, the Boone and Crockett Club, a nonprofit advocacy group for wildlife conservation, added a collared peccary category to their big game records. Tomassetti views this as another positive step toward shedding light on the species as a respected game animal.
“Seeing the species gain recognition, especially with organizations like the Boone and Crockett Club, is a significant step forward,” he said. “Being part of a team working to establish a scientific foundation for their conservation and management is an honor and a privilege.”
