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Biology and control of skunks

Description

People generally relate skunks to the foul-smelling, defensive spray they discharge when scared or threatened. Generally, people avoid skunks and have little tolerance for their presence. In many... More ≫

Description

People generally relate skunks to the foul-smelling, defensive spray they discharge when scared or threatened. Generally, people avoid skunks and have little tolerance for their presence. In many parts of North America, skunks are also a major carrier of rabies. Rabies has been present in the skunk population of southern Alberta, at fluctuating levels, since the late 1970s. This information sheet includes a brief look at the biology, behaviour and reproduction of skunks, and then focuses on non-lethal and lethal methods of skunk control.

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Rabies & rabies management in Alberta

Description

Despite the ongoing surveillance, Alberta has not detected rabies in skunks since 9194. We believe that over the years the combined surveillance and response program has been effective in... More ≫

Description

Despite the ongoing surveillance, Alberta has not detected rabies in skunks since 9194. We believe that over the years the combined surveillance and response program has been effective in preventing the establishment of terrestrial rabies, particularly prairie skunk variant, in areas where there seem to be no other limiting factor to prevent the virus from establishing an enzootic population. Skunk habitat, behaviour and reproductive potential are the same in eastern and southern Alberta s in neighbouring jurisdictions that experience cyclic rabies outbreaks in their skunk populations.

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