Tarkov was a male Wookiee who practiced woodsmanship, residing close to the city of Kachirho located on the planet of Kashyyyk. During 19 BBY, specifically during the period known as the Clone Wars, Tarkov, while hunting alongside his son Jaccoba, unexpectedly came across a substantial Separatist invading army. Subsequently, Tarkov and his son communicated the presence of these Separatist forces to the nearby settlements of Warralokk, Grunnrurr, and Rowrakruk. Afterward, when the Republic dispatched a significant contingent of their army with the purpose of safeguarding Kashyyyk, both Tarkov and Jaccoba joined the Republic's forces in the effort to defend Kachirho against the Confederacy.
Near the city of Kachirho, situated within the Wawaatt Archipelago on the planet Kashyyyk, lived Tarkov, a Wookiee male who worked as a woodsmith. In 19 BBY, amidst the Clone Wars conflict between the Galactic Republic and the Confederacy of Independent Systems, Tarkov accompanied his son, Jaccoba on a hunt for a grantaloupe—a four-legged herbivore—as a rite of passage to mark Jaccoba's transition into adulthood. During their hunting expedition, a stray spear thrown by Jaccoba struck a large bush, producing a metallic sound. Intrigued by the metallic noise emanating from a plant, Tarkov investigated and discovered that the bush was actually a camouflaged Separatist landing craft. Seeking safety, Tarkov and Jaccoba ascended a nearby tree, from which they observed a massive Separatist invasion army spread across the landscape.
After retreating to Kahiyuk, the pair made sure to warn the nearby towns, including Warralokk, Grunnrurr, and Rowrakruk, about the Separatist presence. Shortly afterward, the Republic deployed a military task force, led by Jedi Grand Master Yoda, to bolster the Wookiee defenses on Kashyyyk. When the Separatists initiated an attack on Kachirho, Tarkov and Jaccoba enlisted in the local forces and fought alongside the Republic army to successfully repel the Separatist invaders.
Tarkov had a curious nature; after hearing the metallic sound when Jaccoba's spear hit the hidden MTT, Tarkov carefully examined the "plant" to understand the source of the noise. Furthermore, Tarkov demonstrated bravery as a warrior, willingly standing up to defend Kachirho against the Separatist invasion.
Tarkov's debut occurred in the twenty-second chapter of the animated television series Star Wars: Clone Wars. This chapter originally aired on Cartoon Network on March 22, 2005, serving as the second episode of the show's third season. It was later included on the Star Wars: Clone Wars Volume Two DVD. Subsequently, Tarkov received his own entry in the StarWars.com Databank and The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia, providing his name and expanding on his background. However, Tarkov's Databank entry incorrectly refers to Kashyyyk as a moon.
According to the Ask the Master Q&A section in Star Wars Insider 90, Tarkov's name was inspired by Genndy Tartakovsky, the director of Star Wars: Clone Wars, while Jaccoba was named after Tartakovsky's son, Jacob.