I just saw a skunk with a cup stuck on its head. How can I help it?
This can be a tricky situation, not to mention a smelly one! It’s also a situation that isn’t all that uncommon. A quick internet search garners many videos of police officers and concerned citizens taking it upon themselves to get up close and pull the cup off, quicky running away afterwards to try and avoid being sprayed.
Unfortunately, skunks are enticed by the last remnants of what was in those cups and their torpedo-shaped heads causes them to get stuck. If you’re comfortable, using a gloved hand, you can try and pull the cup off yourself. Feeling the resistance, the skunk should pull back to help regain its freedom. It’s said that if you stand still, the skunk won’t see you and therefore shouldn’t spray.
It’s understandable if this is a rescue mission you’d rather not attempt yourself. In this case, if you are comfortable, put a laundry basket or a milk crate over the skunk, putting something heavy on top of the crate, to keep the skunk from walking away. Contact a local wildlife rehabilitation centre for help.
The best course of action is to not let this happen at all. Don’t litter and pick up any that you see. Remember it’s not only skunks that have an attraction to our garbage but rather many animals including raccoons, squirrels, deer, even coyotes!
