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Escaped Pet Skunk Rescued from Backyard in Northamptonshire
4 Oct
Summary
- Skunk rescued from backyard in Northamptonshire
- Believed to be an escaped pet in "immaculate condition"
- RSPCA warns it's illegal to release skunks into the wild
A skunk believed to be an escaped pet has been rescued from underneath decking in a back garden in Northamptonshire, close to Peterborough. The incident occurred on Sunday, when the homeowner contacted the RSPCA after spotting the animal, which can squirt a foul-smelling spray.
The RSPCA, which described the skunk as being in "immaculate condition", caught the animal in a fox trap the following day. Hollie Morrall, an animal rescue officer who set up the trap, stated that the skunk was likely an escaped pet, but it could have also escaped from a rescue center or a zoo. She explained that skunks can travel up to three miles a night, and the RSPCA had dealt with a similar case last year where a skunk had traveled over 11 miles.
The RSPCA emphasized that it is an offense under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 "to release skunks or allow them to escape into the wild because they are not a native species in the UK." Evie Button, a senior scientific officer, warned that people may buy exotic animals like skunks without understanding the difficulties of caring for them, leading to the animals being released or escaping.
