‘Mass poisoning’ suspected in deaths of 9 Metro Vancouver skunks
In just over a week, nine skunks have been taken to a rehabilitation centre in Langley suffering from symptoms of poisoning.
Staff at Critter Care Wildlife Society did everything they could, but not a single one survived.
Seven were found in Richmond, and then over the weekend, two more were discovered in Vancouver.
Some skunks were dead on arrival, while others had trouble breathing, were foaming at the mouth, and were suffering from seizures, unconsciousness and distress.
“Something is very wrong, there is a mass poisoning,” said Lesley Fox of the animal advocacy group The Fur-Bearers.
It’s not clear whether the skunks were targeted directly, or whether they ingested a substance meant for rodents.
Either way, Fox is reminding the public that most poisons are forbidden by law, because “poison is extremely inhumane and it’s extremely dangerous,” she warned.
It’s also bad for the ecosystem. For example, an owl may be poisoned after eating a poisoned mouse or rat.
A family pet might also ingest something toxic.
“It’s really important for The Fur-bearers to sound the alarm that something is wrong,” said Fox.
“In my entire time at The Fur-Bearers I’ve never seen anything like this.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Poilievre says Canadians 'fleeing' to Nicaragua, Liberals say it shows he 'doesn't have a clue'
Liberal parliamentarians are criticizing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre over a new video in which he promotes the idea that some Canadians are 'fleeing' Canada to live in Nicaragua because they can't afford a house in this country.
Canadians are eyeing moves to these cities for more affordable housing
Faced with elevated housing prices, half of Canadians in the country's largest cities are considering moving to places with more affordable housing.
Police clear intersection of pro-Palestinian protesters on UBC campus
Police have moved on pro-Palestinian protesters at the University of British Columbia campus in Vancouver, with video on social media showing lines of officers advancing on demonstrators rallying at a main intersection.
'Do not drive': Nissan warns Canadian drivers of explosion risk impacting 48,000 vehicles
Car manufacturer Nissan has issued a do-not-drive warning for some older vehicles equipped with Takata airbag inflators, due to the risk of explosion during a crash.
Infant dies in ATV crash, N.S. RCMP says alcohol may be a factor
An infant has died and three others, including another child, were taken to hospital following an ATV crash in Forties, N.S., on Monday.
'Scandals and secrets': On board the world's most exclusive private residential ship
It’s a floating city exclusively home to the 1 per cent, a playground for multimillionaires and billionaires that circumnavigates the world's oceans.
Tessa Virtue reveals she's expecting her first child. Here's what Canadians had to say
Canadian figure-skating icon Tessa Virtue is expecting her first child, she revealed via social media Tuesday.
New Orleans mystery: Human skull padlocked to a dumbbell is pulled out of water by a fisherman
New Orleans mystery: Human skull padlocked to a dumbbell is pulled out of water by a fisherman
Indian capital swelters as temperature hits all-time high of 52.9 C
Delhi recorded an all-time high temperature of 52.9 C (127.22 F) on Wednesday as extreme heat conditions gripped the north and western parts of India.