‘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
Robert Pickton to remain in medically induced coma until later this week: police
Serial killer Robert Pickton will remain in a medically induced coma for at least the next few days following an attack in a Quebec prison Sunday, according to police spokesperson Hugues Beaulieu.
Poverty report cards: Which provinces got the worst grades?
Poverty and food insecurity have worsened in most of Canada in the past year and most provincial governments aren't doing enough to address the problem, according to a just-released series of report cards.
'I feel betrayed': Ottawa-area customers out thousands of dollars warn of bad faith contractor
A group of people from eastern Ontario and western Quebec is issuing a warning about Dennis Walker and his company Vue Windows.
'We'll need all hands on deck': Details emerge after deadly boat crash near Kingston
Police say they have wrapped up their on-scene investigation into a deadly boat crash in eastern Ontario as details of the incident begin to emerge.
'Five feet nothing': Pickton's safety likely behind Quebec transfer, says ex-prison judge
When serial killer Robert Pickton was transferred from British Columbia's Kent Institution to a maximum security prison in Quebec about six years ago, correctional authorities gave no public explanation or confirmation at the time, citing privacy.
Trudeau's speech to union delegates took aim at Conservatives
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's trip to the United States targeted U.S. lawmakers, but also his political opponents in Canada, as his speech to one of the largest unions in North America attempted to make the case that his party cares more about workers’ rights than Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives.
Woman found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017 matches identity of missing person in Switzerland
Genetic genealogy has helped Toronto police identify a woman who was found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017.
Sheldon Keefe hired as head coach of New Jersey Devils
Sheldon Keefe has been hired as the head coach of the New Jersey Devils.
Disgruntled worker fatally shoots 2, wounds 3 at linen company near Philadelphia
A disgruntled employee opened fire at a linen company near Philadelphia on Wednesday, killing two coworkers and injuring three others, authorities said.