What Will A Wildlife Rehabilitator Do With A Skunk After It Has Been Caught?

Skunks may be pleasing to the eye, but they can be quite a nuisance on your property. Its fun to view them from a distance, if they aren’t causing damage to your yard or coming into your house.

Skunks are omnivores meaning that their diet includes a wide variety of food sources. They are also animals of opportunity with poor eyesight and poor climbing abilities. They sometimes wander into homes through cat doors or take up residence under porches.

When this happens, most people call wildlife rehabbers to take care of the problem. Licensed wildlife rehabbers are specially trained to care for many different types of wildlife properly and skunks are no exception.



Caring for Skunks

Skunks are not animals that do well in captivity. Adult skunks are usually just relocated unless they are injured. Wildlife rehabbers know how to relocate these animals causing as little trauma as possible.

If the animal is injured and the prognosis is good, then it will likely get medical care. Unfortunately, if the animal has rabies then it will likely be euthanized.

The skunk will be provided for with as little human contact as possible until it can survive on its own in the wild. It will then be released into a wooded area to do what skunks do.

If the skunks are young, then the wildlife rehabber will attempt to raise them with little intervention. It will provide a heat source for warmth and a place for the animal to thrive, free from the danger of predators.

Wildlife rehabbers understand how to provide food and water in a manner that is safe for the animal. The animal will also learn to work for their nourishment much like they would in the wild.

The animal will be cared for and nurtured until it is capable of surviving on its own. It will then be released into the wild in a safe place.

Laws

State and local laws differ according to wildlife. For instance, in some states it is illegal to intervene or attempt to care for skunks. However, it is also illegal to kill them. They must simply be left alone.

Local rangers or wildlife rehabbers will know the specific laws pertaining to skunks in your area. They are well-versed on the steps they must take when baby, young or adult skunks are located in areas where they can become a nuisance.


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