Targ

Three targs discovered aboard the IKS Somraw

Boshar, a pet targ (2154)

A targ (2364)

File:Plush Targ, Fascination.jpg

Molly O'Brien's plush targ, Piggy.

The targ is a herding animal native to Qo'noS, comparable in form to a Terran boar but with spikes on its back. They are usually dark brown, although some are spotted. Targs are generally regarded as "vicious and destructive" animals. Klingons keep domesticated targs as pets and livestock, and hunt wild targs for sport. The meat and heart of the targ is eaten, while their shoulder fat is used to make var'Hama candles. (TNG: "A Matter Of Honor"; DS9: "You Are Cordially Invited"; VOY: "Day of Honor")

The phrase "targ manure" has been used as slang to describe a lie, or a made up story (analogous to the human expletive "bullshit"). This term was used by Boothby. (VOY: "In the Flesh")

The Hamar Mountains are abundant with targ. (DS9: "You Are Cordially Invited")

Targ herds can be a collision hazard on Qo'noS; Klingon ground assault vehicles use targ scoops to clear the animals away from their path. (VOY: "Elogium")

Neelix recounted that Sarpek the Fearless was searching for his lost targ when he unearthed the Knife of Kirom. (VOY: "Barge of the Dead")

Both Martok and Worf owned pet targs at some point in their lives. (DS9: "Strange Bedfellows"; TNG: "Where No One Has Gone Before") One targ that Martok had owned since childhood escaped after his wife, Sirella, 'accidentally' left the door of their home open while moving her belongings into the residence following their marriage. Despite being responsible for the loss of the creature, Martok later told Benjamin Sisko that he would "not trade Sirella for all the targs on Qo'nos". (DS9: "Strange Bedfellows")

In 2364, an illusory replica of Worf's targ was created from his memories of the animal on board the USS Enterprise-D when the ship traveled a billion light years away from our galaxy and entered the outer rim of the universe, where the physical and mental world are integrated. (TNG: "Where No One Has Gone Before")

One of Molly O'Brien's toys, "Piggy", was a plush targ. (DS9: "Fascination")

In early 2373, Odo told Benjamin Sisko that Sisko would need someone who could turn into Gowron's pet targ to help infiltrate Ty'Gokor, something Odo was not able to do, after Odo had lost his shapeshifting ability several weeks earlier. (DS9: "Apocalypse Rising")

Quark believed that, by throwing away his bat'leth and kneeling before Thopok, he would "be humiliated and slink away like a scalded targ". (DS9: "Looking for par'Mach in All the Wrong Places")

Q told Captain Kathryn Janeway that he could have mated with a Klingon targ for the purpose of creating a child, but that he instead chose her. (VOY: "The Q and the Grey")

B'Elanna Torres told Harry Kim that he looked like a speckled targ, after he acquired facial spots due to a Taresian retrovirus. (VOY: "Favorite Son")

Wistan gagh was pack in targ blood.(DS9: "Field of Fire")

After Worf was appointed Federation ambassador to the Klingon Empire following the Dominion War, Martok was delighted as he had an ambassador who would go targ hunting with him. (DS9: "What You Leave Behind")

In 2376, Tom Paris told Seven of Nine that B'Elanna Torres would often take a stuffed toy named "Toby the targ" with her if she was leaving the starship USS Voyager for longer than a day. (VOY: "Tsunkatse")

During a musical recital by Harry Kim, the Doctor commented to B'Elanna Torres that Kim's saxophone playing reminded him of a wounded targ. A month later, in 2378, the EMH confessed this act to Kim and apologized for his indelicate behavior. (VOY: "Renaissance Man")

The animal meat which is eaten by Harrad-Sar in ENT: "Bound" may have been a skinned targ. The meat can be seen on Harrad-Sar's ship, during the scene in which three Orion slave girls first appear and subsequently continue to dance.

It is also possible that the Klingon monster dog seen in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock and the Jackal mastiffs seen in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country were different breeds of targs based on similar appearances and similarity to canine breeds.

One of the hanging targs found on the IKS Somraw was put up for auction on the It's A Wrap! sale and auction.

Appearances

• TNG:
  • "Where No One Has Gone Before"
• ENT:
  • "Sleeping Dogs"
  • "Exile"
  • "Affliction"

References

• ENT:
  • "Judgment"
  • "United"
• Star Trek films:
  • Star Trek III: The Search for Spock
  • Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
• TNG:
  • "The Schizoid Man"
  • "A Matter Of Honor"
• DS9:
  • "Penumbra"
  • "Strange Bedfellows"
• VOY:
  • "The Killing Game"
  • "In the Flesh"
  • "Author, Author"