Pictured are two of the seven skunks found near the Academic Farm's main barn in June.
Seven orphaned skunks returned to Wilmington College's Academic Farm this week from, let's say, summer training camp — and three of their new friends tagged along.
Their journey started this spring when the magnificent seven were born and burrowed with their mother in an abandoned groundhog hole under the main barn at WC's Academic Farm on Fife Ave. Dr. Jason Parrish, assistant professor of agriculture, recalls seeing a photo of wandering baby skunks shared by Farm Manager Trent Czartowski.
"Judging by their size and time of year, they appeared too young, less than a month old, not weaned and too young to be out exploring without an adult," said Parrish, who had reason to believe the mother skunk was dead. Over the next week, those two, along with students Jen Moore, Alex Yaekle and Jorja Hazelwood, caught all seven and provided them with some initial hydration, nutrition and grooming.
Parrish noted the rescue process included him getting sprayed — actually "spritzed," as the young skunks hadn't yet developed nearly the volume or spraying capability of adults. "Yet, the smell was pretty pungent," he said. "We were able to cautiously handle them. We gave them a bath and fed them formula by syringe."
He noted how, while growing up, he was terrified of skunks. "You felt like they're looking for people or animals to spray, but it's really a last resort defense for them."
Parish took the skunks in his car to the Ohio Wildlife Center Animal Hospital, a non-profit, certified wildlife rehabilitation facility in Dublin that cares for orphaned or injured creatures ranging from raccoons and opossums to ducks, squirrels and Peregrine falcons. There they received veterinary assessment and care before being transferred to their pre-release facility in Powell, where they continued growing in a safe outdoor enclosure until they reached three months of age.
The first skunk emerges from the enclosure this week to its new home under a black walnut tree with significant undergrowth.
Achieving that milestone in mid-August, the seven WC skunks — and three other orphans from the facility — traveled to Wilmington to be reunited at their place of birth. Well, not exactly, Parish found a location on the far reaches of the Academic Farm's pasture, quiet and protected with easily accessible food sources for the omnivores.
The Ohio Wildlife Center was thrilled the College welcomed the skunks return to the farm. OWC staff member Delaney Galbraith called it a perfect spot. She transported the animals to WC, ala "skunks in the trunk."
"The amazing release spot Jason chose is a little island of forest surrounded by more forest and corn field," she said. "Complete with an unused drainage tunnel and little holes from groundhogs for additional denning spots. This will give them the perfect slow break out into the wild! They were released under a huge honeysuckle and black walnut tree. Wild carrots (queen Ann’s lace) surrounded as did plenty of wild berries and fruit.
"As soon as they came out, they started right away at flipping leaves and eating as many insects as they could. A release like this is what I hope for all of the animals."