STAFF of Tropiquaria Zoo have found the owner of an escaped skunk they live trapped in somebody’s garden - but have now caught a second one which had also been on the loose.

The first skunk, a female, had escaped from a house in the Staplegrove area of Taunton and had been living wild since last December.

The animal had been able to escape after third party damage to the wall of its owner’s property not far from where she was caught.

Tropiquaria director Chris Moiser said: “The owner has spent a lot of time and effort in trying to find this animal and had placed live traps on several properties that had reported sightings, sadly without result.

This skunk has just been trapped by Tropiquaria Zoo staff in a garden near Taunton and is being looked after while efforts are made to find its owner.
This female skunk trapped by Tropiquaria Zoo staff after six months on the loose near Taunton is being returned to its owner. (Jess Barker/Tropiquaria)

“I have been sent videos of her in the domestic setting which indicate to me that she is a much-loved animal who has lived with the family for some time.

“The videos also show this animal.

“So, she will be returning there shortly.”

Mr Moiser said in the past few weeks he had also received reports from another part of Taunton of a skunk ‘visiting gardens at night and dining on left over pet food, and other delicacies’.

He said concerned residents contacted Tropiquaria after discovering that other ‘agencies’ were either not willing, or not able, to help.

Mr Moiser said: “As time moved on, there were concerns for its safety and so we were asked if we could live trap.

“By chance, we had some appropriate traps which we supplied, and we were called to collect this little beast.

“The problem was we do not know if it has been de-scented.

“It is said by many people that it is illegal to de-scent skunks, and some recently reviewed legislation would certainly suggest that was so, if not done for purely medical reasons.

“So, driving back to Tropiquaria from Taunton was done with extreme care, and with the windows open.”

Mr Moiser said it was not known if the second animal was male or female and it was currently being kept in one of Tropiquaria’s isolation enclosures.

He said: “He/she does not seem too worried about people close by and is thoroughly enjoying the different foods we are offering.

“What is concerning is that although the animal has been seen in various gardens over several weeks there seems to be no interest expressed from any owner who has lost a skunk.

“So, while we would like to return it to its rightful owner, we are cautious about doing so without some evidence that it is from a home with the correct facilities.

“If you know of anybody who has lost a skunk, do contact us during opening hours on our published telephone number.”

Mr Moiser said residents had also been in touch about other skunks thought to be living wild on the edge of Taunton, including video footage of one which appeared to be a different animal.

He said anybody who saw one should get in touch with Tropiquaria.