The Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation (AIWC) is providing property owners with biology-based alternatives to pest control.
Roy Hoskins, director of the Wildlife Control Hotline, says he has seen “too many orphaned animals left to die” after pest control has removed or killed the mother. He said this is especially true of skunks, a species that is beneficial to landowners but often mistreated and misunderstood due to the tremendous fear of being sprayed by one.
“Skunks like to den in dark places,” said Hoskins. “Under decks, patios, and sheds. Those sorts of places are especially favoured by skunks. Many people who have skunks on their property don’t even know it. Being nocturnal, skunks come out and eat bugs and small rodents at night when we’re all asleep. Where we sometimes get into conflict is when people have dogs that attack skunks, resulting in a potent aroma that takes time to dissipate.”
Many cases of skunk control witnessed by Hoskins last year cause him concern, he added. A common practice is to trap a skunk then remove it to the country or kill it. What these controllers are not telling the people is that another skunk is going to move right back in as long as the area is suitable habitat.
“What the controllers are also failing to consider, or maybe they don’t care, is that the skunk they removed may have been a lactating female and the orphaned babies are destined to die a horrible death,” said Hoskins.
“Furthermore, when the skunks are killed, the practices often fail to meet euthanasia standards set by law. If the skunks are relocated to the country, landowners may not appreciate it and studies have shown that relocated skunks usually die within six weeks of being moved.”
Hoskins said he provides permanent solutions that exclude skunks from areas where they may not be welcome. By making a deck, patio, or shed inaccessible to a skunk, they will den somewhere else.
The skunks are not harmed or relocated; for many property owners this solution suits them much better.
“In many cases, all a homeowner needs is a bit of education on how easy it is to co-exist with skunks and they often become enamoured by these charismatic little creatures, especially when they see how beneficial skunks are to gardens,” he said.
Hoskins has had success in reuniting trapped mothers with their babies. Since the Province has recently removed skunks from wildlife rehabilitation permits, AIWC can no longer help such babies.
“We’re in this to help wildlife,” said Hoskins, adding he charges a fee for his services but the money goes towards the AIWC.
“We are not here to make money. We only need to cover our costs.”
AIWC would like to see more people co-existing peacefully with all wildlife so the organization guarantees Hoskins’ work and does not hesitate to provide biological information or to send Hoskins back to a particular location as many times as he is needed.
“Pest control companies that deal with wildlife seldom take the welfare of the animals into consideration,” said Hoskins.
“In this time of enlightened science, it’s time to consider the alternatives.”
For more information, contact AIWC at www.aiwc.ca
