The zoo from hell

Skunks in Europe are now left intact -- it's become illegal to remove the scent glands

 

That's interesting. They are common educational animals in North America and make great pets. Obviously neither of those can happen if the scent glands are still on the animal - what's the reason for this?

 

I think it was considered to be an unnecessary mutilation. People still have pet skunks over here, and are careful not to upset them

 

Not in all European countries...

 

This is wrong - it is quite possible to keep skunks as educational animals without 'de-scenting' them.

 

It isn't the problem of them being able to spray - as noted earlier as long as you keep them on their good side it isn't an issue - it's the fact that they will smell terrible. No one will want to pet a "scented" skunk!

 

Perhaps that can be encouraged in the zoo from hell

 

Surely it's no worse than any other Mustelid? Some people don't like the smell of ferrets.

 

Interesting.....do tell!

 

Interesting! I was with an educational program skunk the other day and there were two times she definitely would have sprayed if she could have, even with it just being me and her keeper (zoo wasn't open yet).

 

It is. They are often (unconsciously, I assume) "leak" the scent.

 

Oh dear. I only know about ducks, and not much about those. What are they then? Always thought they were Mustelids -- am I being like the lay person who thinks rabbits are rodents?

 

Again wrong, I am afraid. They do not smell 'terrible'. Large numbers are commonly kept as pets in the UK where de-scenting is illegal. Of the many animals we have kept none has ever discharged its scent, and under normal conditions they only have a faint musky smell no worse than a Binturong or a Ferret. We have owned just one de-scented animal, specifically de-scented and imported from CZ where the practice is legal.

 

That's kind of what I thought. Interesting.

 

Interesting, so they're in their own family now?