North Vancouver - Dear Editor: I am sure no one purposely disposes of plastic cups and lids for cold drinks in such a manner that they can harm skunks, but it does happen.
North Vancouver - Dear Editor: I am sure no one purposely disposes of plastic cups and lids for cold drinks in such a manner that they can harm skunks, but it does happen.Skunks, like most wildlife in our backyards, have a keen sense of smell and like sweets as much as the person who purchased the cold drink. This results in them sticking their heads into the containers, which can end up around their necks with no hope of easy removal.We have seen two skunks in the last year running through our yard with plastic around their necks. The first one was loose enough that with some ingenuity we were able to hook the plastic, lift the skunk up slightly and he slipped out free.The second one, we could tell, had the plastic embedded into its neck. After a trip to Wildlife Rescue in Burnaby and numerous attempts to trap the skunk should it return, we did trap and release an unhappy cat, and finally succeeded in getting the one we wanted with, thankfully, no spraying.We took her to Wildlife Rescue in Burnaby where she was operated on, given antibiotics, worried over because of a bone infection, and hopefully will recover and be released back to the wilds of the North Shore.This rescue association is a phenomenal resource in Metro Vancouver but sees animals too often suffering from a similar fate and not all will survive.So I ask you to think twice (about) how you discard these plastic cups and lids. Cut them up if you can, bring them home to recycle securely in your bins and save a skunk. Thanks.Nick PetryszakNorth Vancouver
