American skunk accidentally crosses Canada border; looking for drive back

Reuters
Updated: 12:04 p.m. CT Jan 12, 2007

TORONTO - Canadian wildlife officials are looking for a brave driver prepared for a 2,200-mile trip to take a stinky stowaway skunk back to her home in California.

But the skunk, who survived a seven-day journey across the United States and into Canada without food and water, after being accidentally locked away in a transport truck, is having a hard time finding someone to give her a ride home.

"We can never give a no-spray guarantee, of course," said Nathalie Karvonen, executive director at the Toronto Wildlife Center, which has been caring for the skunk since Jan. 5, referring to the black-and-white striped animal's foul-smelling defense mechanism.
"It would have be somebody who would be prepared for that possibility."

Releasing her into the wild in Canada is out of the question, Karvonen said.

"It's totally and utterly illegal from a provincial and federal standpoint to release a California skunk in Ontario."

As well, "skunks are very territorial animals ... "They won't just readily accept a stranger in their territory, so there will be a big skunk fight."

[Note: anti-immigrant policies]

While airlines usually agree to return such "accidental travelers" for free, Karvonen said the response has not been positive in this particular case.

Those with an idea on how to get the animal home can contact the Toronto Wildlife Center at 1-416-631-0662.

[Obviously needs someone adapted to strong odors.]

John