The San Diego Humane Society didn’t want the rare breed skunk, named Pinyon, to become lonely, as the species is a highly communal group
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- Pinyon, an orphaned spotted skunk, was flown 400 miles to join other skunks at a San Diego rescue center
- The skunks bonded quickly, helping Pinyon develop natural behaviors needed for his eventual release into the wild
- Flying Tails Animal Rescue facilitated Pinyon’s journey and has transported various animals, including mountain lions and bear cubs
When a tiny spotted skunk named Pinyon arrived in San Diego after a 400-mile flight from Northern California, wildlife experts had one hope: Let Pinyon find some friends.
The orphaned baby skunk had been living alone at Sierra Wildlife Rescue in Diamond Springs, Calif., after being found in the wild without his mother. Because spotted skunks are relatively rare in California wildlife rehabilitation centers and in the surrounding area, there were no other skunks of his kind available to keep him company.Luckily, Project Wildlife, the wildlife rehabilitation program at the San Diego Humane Society, stepped in with some potential pals. According to Autumn Welch, the wildlife operations manager for Project Wildlife, the program recently took in several young spotted skunks. The organization contacted its partners at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and arranged for Pinyon to travel to San Diego.
“All of a sudden, we got several come into our center here, which is really unusual,” Welch tells PEOPLE exclusively. “They’re kind of a rare species for everybody to get, so you never know when you’re going to get them.”
The journey was made possible by Flying Tails Animal Rescue, a nonprofit that transports animals in need to rehabilitation centers and sanctuaries throughout California…