A skunk has been rescued after a woman found it suffering in Vancouver’s West End neighbourhood.
On Monday morning, Deborah Bastow was walking her dog along Nelson Street near Chilco Street when the black and white furry animal caught her attention.
“I thought he was dead,” she said. “The smell was so bad.”
The skunk was hunkered down in a garden bed in the roundabout and barely moving.
Then, on Tuesday morning, she went to check on the skunk again to see if it had moved but spotted it again in the same spot.
This time, it had moved slightly but was still buried down.
“I left my dog on the corner and told her to wait at a distance to ensure she didn't cause any more distress to the skunk. I could see he was breathing,” said Bastow.
She managed to take a video of the skunk showing that it was breathing but not moving around.
"It broke my heart, so I had to find out where I could call,” she said. “I love animals so much.”
Bastow managed to get in touch with Critter Care Wildlife Society in Langley. A staff member confirmed they rescued the skunk.
"We aren't able to give updates on any animals that come into the centre by policy,” said the staff member. "Thank you for reaching out though and rest assured that it is in good hands!"
Bastow said many people kept walking past the skunk and she felt bad for how terrified it must have been.
“I feel people don't care especially if it’s a skunk but it baffled me,” she said. "I have no doubt that people walking in and out of their apartments all day and night didn't notice him. The smell was so so strong and it’s a heavy footfall area."
She hopes the critter will make a full recovery.
Critter Care Wildlife Society is the only facility in B.C. specializing in the care of mammals and one of the only three bear rehabilitation facilities in the province. It specializes in the treatment, care and release of sick, injured and orphaned native mammal species.
