A SKUNK has been trapped by staff of West Somerset’s Tropiquaria Zoo after residents reported seeing the animal in their gardens in the past few weeks.

The skunk was brought to Tropiquaria, near Watchet, on Tuesday morning (August 4) while attempts are made to find its owner.

Tropiquaria had received multiple reports of a skunk being spotted in gardens in the Staplegrove Road area of Taunton and eventually some of the residents asked if live traps could be set in the area.

Zoo director Chris Moiser said: “It is a sweet animal who does not seem too worried about being around humans.

“I cannot confirm whether it is has been de-scented or not, a practice that is generally considered illegal in this country, but still may happen, but it has not even been threatening to spray.

A temporary new home has been provided by Tropiquaria Zoo after staff caught this skunk in a garden near Taunton.
A temporary new home has been provided by Tropiquaria Zoo after staff caught this skunk in a garden near Taunton. (Jess Barker/Tropiquaria)

“It seems likely that the animal is a recently escaped pet who has not travelled too far, although it has been sighted over several weeks, so there is always the possibility of it being from out of town.”

Mr Moiser said ideally he would like to return the animal to its original owner, if they are able to look after it properly.

He said anybody who wanted to claim the skunk should call 01984 640688.

Skunks are mostly native to North America and famed for the foul-smelling oily liquid they can spray from under their tails at anything which they feel is threatening it.

They live in a range of habitats, including woodland, scrub, forests, and grassy plains and are often found in built-up areas, where people consider them to be a pest.

Tropiquaria, which is offering unlimited visits until September 1 with its summer membership, works with animal rescue services across the UK to provide forever homes for animals in need, from cockatoos and bobcats to lemurs and reptiles.