“[He] was just getting wound up tighter in the netting …”
Earlier this month, Sierra Wildlife Rescue (SWR) responded to an urgent call from a homeowner in Sacramento, California. The caller had noticed a white stripe emerging within an unused black sports net on their property, and quickly realized that a creature was in dire need of assistance.
“The caller reported that a skunk had been struggling to free itself all morning, only becoming more entangled in the netting,” SWR shared on Facebook.
SWR hurried to the location and discovered a small skunk hopelessly ensnared in the sports net. As the summer heat intensified and the skunk grew increasingly distressed, the team realized the urgency of the situation.
“With the temperature climbing and the skunk becoming more frantic and fatigued, SWR volunteers managed to cover him with a wet towel and began cutting the netting,” SWR recounted.
Covering the skunk with a wet towel not only cooled him down but also helped soothe the frightened baby. Despite their efforts, the skunk still managed to spray his rescuers with his defensive scent.
“Everyone involved got a dose of that skunk aroma!” SWR shared.
Despite the pungent smell, the SWR rescuers persevered in their mission to free the skunk from the net. They meticulously cut away each layer until, at last, the skunk was completely disentangled.
After removing the towel from the skunk, the crew stepped back, watching carefully as he regained his balance. Unsure if he had been injured while struggling in the net, they observed from a safe distance for any signs of harm. Moments later, the skunk sauntered away, just as they had hoped.
“Luckily, he was unharmed and had enough energy to scamper off,” SWR reported. The skunk ran to a nearby fence, burrowing beneath it and emerging on the other side, back in his natural habitat.
Since the rescue, the SWR team hasn’t seen the skunk, a promising sign that he is now happy and settled in his home. The sports net has been safely stored away, and hopefully, the little guy won’t find himself in such a predicament again.