SKUNK ‘BEHAVING STRANGELY’ RAISES CONCERN

A skunk found behaving abnormally on Autumn Leaf Road in Dundas on Tuesday, March 14, was euthanized but will not be sent by City of Hamilton Animal Services for testing for avian influenza and other viruses.

Three other skunks "behaving strangely" were collected by animal services on March 9 and 10, then sent to the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative (CWHC) in Guelph for necropsy and testing.

Brian Stevens, wildlife pathologist at CWHC, said on March 16

that the cooperative had not heard about the Dundas skunk, but was planning to test the other three Hamilton skunks within a few days for avian influenza and, if they are negative, complete additional tests for canine distemper virus and rabies virus.

City of Hamilton spokesperson Lauren Vastano said the three skunks sent for testing were selected randomly from a "pool" of skunks "that had showed symptoms of illness."

Vastano said animal services could not verify where the three skunks were found, because they were randomly selected for testing. She said none of the three had contact with humans.

Vastano said an animal control officer attended an area of Autumn Leaf Road and Four Winds Place in Dundas at approximately 7:30 p.m. on March 14 after receiving a call from a resident.

"Upon arrival, the officer observed abnormal behaviour in the skunk, including walking in circles and showing no fear for humans," Vastano said. "The officer removed the skunk from the area and determined the safest course of action was to euthanize the skunk."

She said further testing would be completed if a resident reported having contact with the skunk, and the

Dundas skunk's behaviour was consistent with "dis

temper."

Eight skunks in Vancouver

and Richmond, B.C. were reported to have tested positive for avian flu last month, identified as part of an ongoing outbreak.

According to a March 13 Canadian Press story, British Columbia's Ministry of Agriculture said the skunks were infected with "the same H5N1 strain that has caused the death of millions of domestic poultry since the outbreak began in April last year."

The ministry said in a statement the skunks may have contracted H5N1 by scavenging infected wild birds, and that while avian flu in skunks is considered a low risk to human health, there could be risks when people or pets come into contact with sick or dead wild animals.

Vastano said residents should always keep a safe distance from wildlife and not handle or interact with them.

"Keep domestic cats inside and dogs on leash to avoid unnecessary interactions between pets and wildlife," she said. "If you encounter sick, injured or deceased wildlife, contact animal services at 905-5743433."

More information can be found on the city's website at www.hamilton.ca/ home-neighbourhood/animals-pets/wildlife/livingwildlife.

STORY BEHIND THE STORY: We wanted to learn more about up to four skunks potentially infected with avian flu or distemper, including at least one found in Dundas.