STONE HARBOR – Pepé Le Pew may be charming in popular Warner Brother’s cartoons but several borough residents find the real animals annoying.
One resident told council an albino skunk has made its habitat in Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary.
Mayor Suzanne Walters said skunks couldn’t be trapped unless they are under a home. Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) regulates skunks because they are indigenous to the area.
“Our hands are tied by the DEP and animal control in what we can do,” Walters said.
Councilman Barry Mastrangelo said residents should call the police if a skunk is spotted during the day because it could be an indication that it’s rabid since they are nocturnal.
Councilman H. Brain Levinson discouraged attempting to trap skunks because it is illegal.
The borough has an interlocal services agreement with Middle Township animal control.
“It’s a Catch 22 until administration on the state level changes,” he said.
Walters recalled that at one point in time the borough used bait with birth control to keep the feral cat population down.
Councilman Tom Cope said raccoons once controlled the skunk population but predators and natural controls have been removed.
Skunks are omnivores and will feed on nearly anything including small rodents, worms, insects, grubs, bird feeders, pet food and garbage.
They can spray up to 15 feet and cause temporary blindness if sprayed in the eyes.
They are attracted to accessible water sources, small crawl spaces and compost heaps.
Skunks are not good climbers and can’t jump high but they are excellent diggers and can fit through openings as small as four inches.
To make a property less attractive to skunks, seal small holes and erect barriers around areas they may find interesting.
Also, since they’re nocturnal, try bright lights set to motion detectors.
Animal Control Officer Bill Candell, who handles control calls for half the county, said skunks are considered statewide as non-threatening non-endangered gaming species and are not specially protected if causing property damage.
Nov. 15 to March 15 is open trapping season for many wild animals statewide. Permits are required to trap a wild animal and can be gained through the state DEP Division of Fish and Wildlife.
If a skunk is being a nuisance, call the local police department who will then dispatch the animal control officer.
Contact Truluck at (609) 886-8600 ext. 24 or at: ltruluck@cmcherald.com.
Cape May – Governor Murphy says he doesn't know anything about the drones and doesn't know what they are doing but he does know that they are not dangerous. Does anyone feel better now?
