You indicated you have found a Baby Skunk

About Baby Skunks

Caution: Rabies vector species. Always wear gloves when handling.

Orphan Alert: Be very careful not to create orphan skunks by accident. Mother skunks often give birth in the spring in and around our dwellings. When homeowners hire pest control companies to remove the mother, the babies will be left behind. The best solution is to let the family stay until the babies are old enough to take off on their own. Once you are sure the skunks have moved out, seal up their entry and exit. Remember, skunks dig for food, so make sure that when you block their entry, the barrier continues approximately 6 inches below the soil. Unnecessarily removing an animal from its environment – particularly a baby – can cause more harm than simply leaving it be. It is important to recognize signs of distress.

There are a few cases where you might need to intervene:

• The baby skunk is crying continuously (mewing sound like a kitten).
• The baby skunks eyes are closed and it is out of the den.
• The baby skunk is cold to the touch.
• The baby skunk is injured or has been attacked.
• The mother has been removed, relocated or is dead.
• There are flies around the baby skunk.

What to do if you find a baby skunk…

• Always wear gloves when handling skunks.
• You are not likely to get sprayed so long as the situation is kept calm.
• If the baby looks healthy, it is best to wait and watch until the evening before taking action. If there is no sign of the mother, or if the baby is injured or being stalked by a predator, or is in danger of wandering into a road, don’t wait.

If you know of an animal who needs help, please call your local animal control officer, a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, or the Tufts Wildlife Clinic as soon as possible.

About Rabies-vector Species

If you have found an orphaned, sick or injured raccoon, woodchuck, skunk (Caution: can spray), or bat, DO NOT touch this animal with your bare hands. All of these species are considered to be rabies vector species, which means that they are the most common wildlife species in Massachusetts that transmit rabies to other animals or people. Rabies is a viral disease that is usually spread through the affected animal’s saliva and enters another animal or person through a break in the skin or contact with the eyes, nose or mouth. From there, it spreads to the nervous system and, in almost 100% of cases, leads to eventual death. If you find an injured or sick raccoon, woodchuck, skunk, or bat, you should call one of the following numbers for assistance:

• Your local Massachusetts Animal Control Officers
• A wildlife rehabilitator near you
• Other professionals

Circumstances that are NOT safe include sick or injured juvenile or adult raccoons, woodchucks, skunks or bats that:

• are still alert to your presence
• can readily move around
• and/or are located in an area that is unsafe for rescue, e.g. in the middle of the road.

While the rabies virus is usually spread through a scratch or bite wound, any bare-handed contact that you have with a rabies-vector species is considered potential exposure. The only way to test if an animal has rabies is through testing of brain tissue. Therefore, if you have any bare-handed contact or are scratched or bitten by a rabies-vector species, that wild animal will have to be euthanized for rabies testing.

What to do – if it is safe to do so

If none of the above resources are available, and the animal is in need of immediate assistance, you may attempt rescue ONLY if it is safe to do so.

Protect yourself

Wear thick leather gloves and have a heavy towel in hand. A thick pair of work gloves, a thick jacket, and other personal protection can prevent injury. Do not ever use bare hands when helping mammals. Please be careful not to get bitten, licked, or scratched by the animal as well.

Prepare a container

Have a sturdy box or animal carrier ready to contain the animal. Garbage cans, recycling bins, and plastic containers will work in a pinch, depending on the size of the animal. Make sure that you have a lid that will fit securely to the top of the box.

Capturing the animal

Approach the animal from behind, drop the towel over the animal, including the head, quickly gather the animal in the towel, then immediately place it into the container. Cover and seal the box to ensure that the animal cannot escape from the container.

Transport

Transport the animal to one of the following places:

• Your local veterinary clinic
• A wildlife rehabilitator (find a rehabilitator near you)
• Your local animal control agency

During transport, keep the animal in the box or crate, keep the car quiet (radio off). DO NOT keep the animal for any length of time, e.g. overnight. Place the animal in the container in the back seat of your vehicle, not in the car trunk, and monitor during transport to make sure it is not escaping! PLEASE NOTE! Tufts Wildlife Clinic is not able to rehabilitate rabies-vector species but will humanely euthanize these animals if they are brought to us. For further information on rabies, visit the Mass Health & Human Services Department’s Rabies Information page.