Tarkov was a Wookieemale woodsmith living near the city of Kachirho, in the Wawaatt Archipelago on the planet of Kashyyyk. In 19 BBY, during the height of the Clone Wars between the Galactic Republic and the Confederacy of Independent Systems,[2] Tarkov took his son Jaccoba on a grantaloupe—a four-legged herbivore—hunt that would promote Jaccoba to adulthood.[3] During the hunt, a wayward spear thrown by his son hit a large piece of shrubbery, making a metallic echo. When Tarkov inspected the shrubbery, curious as to why a plant would be making a metallic sound, the Wookiee discovered that the plant was actually a Separatist Multi-Troop Transport. Tarkov and Jaccoba moved to a nearby tree for safety, and as they looked down at the landscape, they saw a large Separatist invasion army.[2]
Retreating to the city of Kahiyuk, the pair alerted the nearby towns of Warralokk, Grunnrurr, and Rowrakruk to the presence of the Separatists. Soon after, the Republic sent a task force of their army, under the command of JediGrand MasterYoda, to reinforce the Wookiees' defense of Kashyyyk.[1] When the Separatists launched an attack on Kachirho, Tarkov and Jaccoba joined the local military, and were among the Wookiees who fought alongside the Republic army to repel the Separatist invaders.[3]
Tarkov was somewhat inquisitive; after Jaccoba hit the disguised MTT with his spear, Tarkov scrutinized the "plant", wanting to know why it was making metallic sounds.[2] Tarkov was also a brave warrior, willing to defend Kachirho from the Separatist invasion force.[1]