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The number of ground‐nesting ducks in the wetlands of Great Salt Lake, Utah has drastically decreased in the past few decades. A potential cause for this decline is the increase of predator species and their abundances, which has caused most nests to fail from depredation. Ground‐nesting ducks may be able to reduce the risk of nest depredation by selecting nest sites where local physical structures or vegetation provides olfactory or visual concealment. To test this, we used logistic exposure models to look at the effect of nest‐site characteristics on daily survival rates (DSRs) of nests during 2019, 2020, and 2021 in the wetlands of Great Salt Lake, Utah. We found 825 duck nests including 458 cinnamon teal (Spatula cyanoptera), 166 mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), and 201 gadwalls (Mareca strepera). DSRs were 0.9714 ± 0.0019 in 2019, 0.9282 ± 0.0049 in 2020, and 0.8274 ± 0.0185 in 2021. Survival rates varied among years but not among duck species. Striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) and raccoons (Procyon lotor) were responsible for 85% of depredated nests. Nests located near other duck nests had higher DSRs than more dispersed nests. Neither visual nor olfactory characteristics correlated with increased DSRs based on AICc analysis. Nests located inside a mixed nesting colony of American avocets (Recurvirostra americana), black‐necked stilts (Himantopus mexicanus), and common terns (Sterna hirundo) had higher DSRs than duck nests outside the colony. Increased nesting densities of ducks and other colonial waterbirds had the greatest impact on nesting success. Increased nest density may be encouraged through early spring green‐up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The family Mephitidae is almost exclusively restricted to the Americas, 9 of 11 species belonging to 3 genera are distributed from southern Canada to Chile. Despite the high diversity and continental distribution of this taxon, there is no quantitative review that evaluates the state of research to determine current advances and knowledge gaps, as well as the research efforts necessary to develop effective conservation programs and reduce potential threats to species. Our goal was to analyze the scientific literature on the family Mephitidae in the Americas published from 1900 to 2021 to identify the patterns and potential causes of bias based on species, research topics, in addition to regions and countries, and to define research priorities to guide future efforts. We recorded a total of 926 studies related to the American mephitids. The number of publications by species, research topic, and the geographic area was distributed heterogeneously, but we observed significantly marked biases. The most studied species was Mephitis mephitis, most of the studies focused on diseases and pathologies, and most of the research was conducted in North America, mainly in the United States. Overall, there was an accumulated and gradual increase in the number of publications over time, with greater scientific production between 2010 and 2021. Our review shows that the research allocation to mephitids, except for Spilogale putorius, is driven by economic or human interest rather than conservation reasons. We prioritize future research towards mephitid species, research topics, and geographic areas in the Americas that need it the most to reduce the scientific gap and to increase the availability of relevant information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent spillback events of SARS-CoV-2 from humans to animals has raised concerns about it becoming endemic in wildlife. A sylvatic cycle of SARS-CoV-2 could present multiple opportunities for repeated spillback into human populations and other susceptible wildlife. Based on their taxonomy and natural history, two native North American wildlife species —the striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) and the raccoon (Procyon lotor) —represent a high likelihood of susceptibility and ecological opportunity of becoming infected with SARS-CoV-2. Eight skunks and raccoons were each intranasally inoculated with one of two doses of the virus (103 PFU and 105 PFU) and housed in pairs. To evaluate direct transmission, a naïve animal was added to each inoculated pair 48 h post-inoculation. Four control animals of each species were handled like the experimental groups. At predetermined intervals, we collected nasal and rectal swabs to quantify virus shed via virus isolation and detect viral RNA via rRT-PCR and blood for serum neutralization. Lastly, animals were euthanized at staggered intervals to describe disease progression through histopathology and immunohistochemistry. No animals developed clinical disease. All intranasally inoculated animals seroconverted, suggesting both species are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection. The highest titers in skunks and raccoons were 1:128 and 1:64, respectively. Low quantities of virus were isolated from 2/8 inoculated skunks for up to day 5 post-inoculation, however no virus was isolated from inoculated raccoons or direct contacts of either species. Neither species had gross lesions, but recovering mild chronic pneumonia consistent with viral insult was recorded histologically in 5/8 inoculated skunks. Unlike another SARS-CoV-2 infection trial in these species, we detected neutralizing antibodies in inoculated raccoons; thus, future wildlife serologic surveillance results must be interpreted with caution. Due to the inability to isolate virus from raccoons, the lack of evidence of direct transmission between both species, and low amount of virus shed by skunks, it seems unlikely for SARS-CoV-2 to become established in raccoon and skunk populations and for virus to spillback into humans. Continued outbreaks in non-domestic species, wild and captive, highlight that additional research on the susceptibility of SARS-CoV-2 in wildlife, especially musteloidea, and of conservation concern, is needed.

Potentially fatal wildlife diseases like rabies are of increasing concern, due to human effects on the environment that could alter wildlife behavior and population dynamics in ways that increase disease prevalence. Wildlife population abundance is a key factor, affecting both disease outbreak and rate of disease spread, and understanding how population abundance changes across landscapes is crucial for developing predictive models to control and manage wildlife diseases. We investigated how urbanization in Flagstaff, AZ influenced skunk population abundance by simultaneously trapping 6 pairs of suburban and wildland study sites for 200 trap-nights between June and September 2011. The number of unique skunks captured at the 6 suburban locations ranged from 3-14 (mean = 6.5) while the number trapped at the 6 wildland sites ranged from 0-2 (mean = 0.5). We also reviewed data gathered as part of the trap-vaccinate-release (TVR) program carried out from 2004-2010 by USDA APHIS Wildlife Services to estimate population sizes and the percentage of the population vaccinated. Our estimates of the percentage of the population vaccinated in any one year ranged from 11%-23%, below percentages reported in the literature as necessary to prevent disease spread. Overall, these data indicate that the potential for disease spread was greatest within the suburban matrix and relatively low in surrounding wildlands and that intensified annual TVR programs would be necessary to maintain high enough percentages of immunized animals to achieve effective herd immunity.

Waterborne transmission of the pathogenic protozoa Cryptosporidium parvum has emerged as an important public health concern. To develop focused strategies to minimize the risk of waterborne transmission of this parasite to humans or animals, a standardized methodology is needed for comparing environmental loading rates for different populations of vertebrate hosts for C. parvum. A reasonable approximation for an estimate of the environmental loading rate is to measure the prevalence of infection and the intensity of shedding using cross-sectional surveys of the mammalian population, and then multiplying by an estimate of fecal production. We applied this concept to a variety of livestock and wildlife species found throughout California. In general we found that regardless of age, striped skunks, coyotes, California ground squirrels, and yellow-bellied marmots were substantial sources of C. parvum oocysts. In contrast, only the young stock of beef and dairy cattle were substantial sources of oocysts; adult cattle appear to excrete only limited numbers oocysts relative to either calves or wildlife. Watershed management plans that endeavor to minimize contamination of drinking water with C. parvum need to focus on appropriate management of wildlife reservoirs of C. parvum in addition to the traditional concern of animal agriculture.

Three fishers (Martes pennanti), 2 gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), 1 mink (Neovison vison), 1 skunk (Mephitis mephitis), and 1 raccoon (Procyon lotor), from Vermont and New Hampshire, had lesions on autopsy consistent with canine distemper virus (CDV) infections diagnosed in a 12-mo period in 2016–2017. Lesions of CDV infection were most commonly noted in the lungs (8 of 8 animals), urothelium (5 of 8), biliary tract (5 of 8), gastrointestinal tract (4 of 7), and brain (4 of 6). Splenic lesions were seen in 3 animals. The diagnosis was confirmed via immunohistochemistry and virus isolation. Viral genotyping indicated that all 8 animals were infected with a distinct clade of CDV that has only been reported in wildlife in New England, and this clade of viruses is distinct from vaccine strains. During the 12 mo when these cases occurred, no other CDV clade was identified in any other wildlife or domesticated animal submitted from the 2 states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Striped skunks (skunks) are susceptible to respiratory infection by influenza A viruses (IAV). As they are common synanthropes, maintenance of IAV in skunks could provide a source of infection for humans. We previously studied the nasal turbinates, lungs and faeces of 50 free‐ranging skunks for the presence of IAV and identified two individuals with influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 infection during the 2009/2010 and 2013/2014 flu seasons. Subsequent to publication of that study, ferrets were shown to preferentially replicate and harbour A(H1N1)pdm09 in the soft palate, a site which had not been investigated in the skunks. From March 2015 to May 2016, we surveyed a convenience sample of 80 free‐ranging urban skunks for IAV in soft palate, nasal turbinates and lungs. The newly emergent influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 clade 6B.1 was detected at all three sites in one skunk with acute rhinitis in February 2016. Clade 6B.1 was the dominant clade in circulation during the 2015/2016 flu season. As the skunk was detected at the height of flu season, reverse zoonosis was considered the most probable source of infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Few studies have investigated the ecology of urban striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) despite their role as a primary rabies vector species paired with an ability to thrive in these landscapes. Information on home range, nightly movements, and habitat selection, is important for rabies management planning regarding the placement of oral rabies vaccine (ORV) baits and for management of skunk populations more generally. Our aim was to obtain baseline ecological information with an emphasis on spatial ecology of urban striped skunks in the Northern Great Plains region that is lacking in the literature. We used radio telemetry to track 22 (4 M, 18 F) skunks during September 2016 to November 2016 and March 2017 to November 2017. Size of home range using kernel density estimation with smoothing by least squares cross validation identified that male skunks ( x ¯ = 4.36 km2, SE ± 0.79) had larger home ranges than females ( x ¯ = 1.79 km2, SE ± 0.24). Female skunk home ranges varied by season with the largest home ranges detected during summer 2017. We found no evidence that use-availability was associated with habitat type or season among female skunks. Female skunks were more likely to be found closer to water; however, we found no association of use with road characteristics and geographic location within the study area. Targeting ORV efforts in areas near water may be warranted, but considering differences in habitat selection for skunk studies in urban areas, we caution that ORV baiting programs may not be one-size-fits-all, and a framework for effective bait placement would benefit from studies specific to the management area of interest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increased urbanization and decreased government funding, plus increased numbers of certain wildlife species, have combined to provide a greater need for wildlife management of nuisance animals in the urban environment.  The author cites data from a 1989 National Pest Control Association survey of private wildlife pest control services, which notes that the most common species complaints deal with mice and rats, squirrels, birds, and bats, followed by raccoons, skunks, moles, and others.  The biology of, damage caused by, and effective damage control methods for tree squirrels, raccoons, skunks, and opossums are discussed.

Rabies is currently enzootic in many cities of southern Ontario. The Ministry of Natural Resources is utilizing two different tactics for the control of rabies in urban wildlife rabies vectors − rat immunization with baits (foxes) and vaccination by injection following live-capture (skunks and raccoons). Between 47 and 79% of the skunks and 61 and 76% of the raccoons were captured and vaccinated (Imrab) in a 60-km2 urban area of Metropolitan Toronto during 1987, 1989. Only three cases of rabies in skunks have been reported since control began in 1987. Population increases of 120% for skunks and 40% for raccoons were noted since the rabies control program was initiated. Densities for raccoons and skunks in urban habitat were found to be as high as 56 and 36 per km2, respectively. An estimated 56% of the foxes in Metropolitan Toronto were reached with rabies vaccine baits following distribution throughout the ravine systems and at fox pup-rearing den sites. To our knowledge, this is the first documentation of the use of a live-virus rabies vaccine for the control of fox rabies in a large metropolitan environment.

Requests for assistance, monetary losses attributed to wildlife, and numbers of wild animals removed from urban areas in California increased significantly between 1982 and 1989. Five species of wildlife are responsible for the majority of complaints received from the public. Because of the inherent problems associated with animal damage control in densely populated urban areas, specialized control equipment and techniques such as cage traps, crossbows and night vision goggles are utilized by U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, Animal Damage Control (USDA-APHIS-ADC) personnel. Urban ADC programs help educate a large segment of the population about the need for occasional control of problem wildlife.

Information concerning vertebrate pests of beekeeping was gathered from state and provincial apiary inspectors through a questionnaire. Forty-eight states and 9 provinces responded. Additional pest information has been assembled from published articles. Bears represent the major vertebrate pest based on severity of damage to colonies. Total estimated losses reported amounted to $623,000 annually. Loss estimates for the various pest species are probably grossly underestimated because many states with problems could not or did not provide loss estimates. Skunks and house mice represent the next most important species from a damage point of view, with annual damage averaging $423,050 and $100,450, respectively. Skunk and house mouse damage, although less severe than that of bears, is far more frequent and widespread. The principal method of damage prevention is the use of electric fencing for bears while trapping is the most used method for control of skunks. Exclusion is considered the best means of resolving house mouse problems. These and a variety of minor vertebrate pests are discussed along with methods or techniques used for their prevention and/or control.

Recent research suggests that raccoons (Procyon lotor) can transmit several important pathogens affecting humans, including protozoans. In Japan, the number of wild raccoons has increased since they were first introduced more than 50 years ago. Here, we report the first survey of Cryptosporidium infection using fecal swabs of raccoons captured in Osaka, Japan. Of 116 raccoons examined by PCR targeting of the Cryptosporidium 18S rRNA gene, 7 (6.03%; 2 adults and 5 young animals) were positive, and the isolates were identified as Cryptosporidium skunk genotype (subtype XVIa) and C. parvum based on sequence and phylogenetic analyses. Both species and the genotype are zoonotic; thus, our results suggest that raccoons could transmit Cryptosporidium infections to humans in Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tool use, the manipulation of one object to change the state of another, is found in <1% of animal taxa and most often observed in captivity. Here, we report the observation of tentative tool use in a wild striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis), captured by a trail camera in the front yard of a hobby naturalist who shared the photographs on social media. The skunk is shown manipulating a rock in a manner that strongly suggests the goal of breaking the frozen surface of a water bowl to drink. Skunks join other carnivores that innovated tool use and proto-tool use in the context of extractive foraging. Their versatile dexterity and manipulative foraging, likely facilitated by their large relative brain size, provide the ideal context for the innovation of novel foraging techniques. We therefore hypothesize that tool use will be observed in other members of the skunk family (Mephitidae), particularly as the broad availability of trail cameras, and the rapid dissemination of interesting observations via social media will increase the discovery rate of rare natural history phenomena. We encourage our colleagues to strengthen this pipeline to discovery, which reverses the information flow of community science projects, to bring amateur and professional naturalists closer together. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large-scale distribution models are effective predictors of habitat suitability and connectivity across broad landscapes and are useful management tools, though few large-scale species distribution models exist for medium-sized predators in urban landscapes. We modeled the potential distribution of 4 medium-sized predators in a 17,361-km2 portion of the Chicago Metropolitan Area. We applied a maximum entropy algorithm model (MaxEnt) using presence-only data collected via remote cameras from 54 Lake County, Illinois, forest preserves during August-October 2008-2012. Environmental data layers used to model distributions were distances to forest, grassland, barren land, crops, wetlands, developed open space, developed low intensity, developed high intensity, water, primary roads, secondary roads, and tertiary roads. Coyotes (Canis latrans) had the greatest area of potential distribution followed by opossums (Didelphis virginiana), striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis), and raccoons (Procyon lotor). Models for all species had high AUC values (0.90-0.94) indicating strong predictive performance. More than 50% of the study area was predicted to be within the distributional limit for each focal species. Distance to forest was the most important contributory predictor for all species modeled (82% - 96%) and higher probability of presence for all 4 species was indicated closer to forest and further from tertiary roads. However, coyotes and raccoons were predicted to prefer habitat closer to highly-developed areas. Our research indicates medium-sized predators are highly synanthropic and able to persist within the Chicago Metropolitan Area given adequate availability of non-urban land cover, particularly forest, and ample green space linking forest patches within highly-developed areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Throughout the skunks' distribution range, several kinds of conflicts between these animals and human beings have been recorded. In Peru, although these issues seem to be common, records thereof have been merely anecdotal. Here we describe, for the first time, the relationships between people and skunks in a Peruvian area. The study was conducted in five villages of the Chaupihuaranga River basin, in Pasco department. Interviews were made to collect information about people's attitude toward Molina's hog-nosed skunks, the uses given to this animal, hunting methods and number of hunted skunks. Almost all interviewees (97.8%) considered skunks as harmful animals and the majority (87%) admitted hunting them. Skunks are mainly hunted to control the damage they cause to the crop fields, but they are also used as food, in traditional medicine and to make decorative elements. Two hunting modalities were reported: hunting following casual encounters and organized hunting by crop field keepers. The skunk skins are displayed at the homes of the hunting crew leaders, giving prestige to them. Genetic analyses performed on skin samples suggested stability or recent population growth. Both controlling skunk population to limit the damage they cause to the crop fields and using this species in traditional medicine seem to be ancestral activities. Although skunk hunting in the study area seems to be sustainable, we recommend conducting evaluations of skunk populations to verify whether hunting entails a risk factor for their conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Estimates of the distribution and prevalence of the sinus roundworm ( Skrjabingylus chitwoodorum) have been based largely on the inspection of skunk (Mephitidae) skulls showing damage from infections. We examined 595 striped skunks ( Mephitis mephitis) and nine hog-nosed skunks ( Conepatus leuconotus) that had tested negative for rabies by the Texas Department of State Health Services (US) between November 2010 and April 2015 to determine species of Skrjabingylus, prevalence and intensity of infection, and distribution of infection in Texas by county. We expected ecoregions with more precipitation to have higher rates of infection than more-arid ecoregions. Prevalence of S. chitwoodorum in striped skunks was 48.7%, with a mean intensity of 19.4 (SD=24.44, range=1-181) nematodes. There was a bias for the left sinus. The prevalence of infection varied among ecoregions of Texas, but it was not correlated with precipitation. Infection intensity did not vary among ecoregions. The prevalence of sinus roundworms in rabies-negative skunks suggested that behavioral changes because of skrjabingylosis might have been responsible for the submission by the public of some skunks for rabies testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oral vaccination using attenuated and recombinant rabies vaccines has been proven a powerful tool to combat rabies in wildlife. However, clear differences have been observed in vaccine titers needed to induce a protective immune response against rabies after oral vaccination in different reservoir species. The mechanisms contributing to the observed resistance against oral rabies vaccination in some species are not completely understood. Hence, the immunogenicity of the vaccine virus strain, SPBN GASGAS, was investigated in a species considered to be susceptible to oral rabies vaccination (red fox) and a species refractory to this route of administration (striped skunk). Additionally, the dissemination of the vaccine virus in the oral cavity was analyzed for these two species. It was shown that the palatine tonsils play a critical role in vaccine virus uptake. Main differences could be observed in palatine tonsil infection between both species, revealing a locally restricted dissemination of infected cells in foxes. The absence of virus infected cells in palatine tonsils of skunks suggests a less efficient uptake of or infection by vaccine virus which may lead to a reduced response to oral vaccination. Understanding the mechanisms of oral resistance to rabies virus vaccine absorption and primary replication may lead to the development of novel strategies to enhance vaccine efficacy in problematic species like the striped skunk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wild animal reservoirs are an important source of emerging and zoonotic infection. Skunks ( Mephitis mephitis) are a reservoir of skunk strain rabies virus in Canada, with the exception of some areas including the province of British Columbia ( BC). Beyond rabies, the reservoir status of skunks for emerging and zoonotic pathogens in BC is unknown. From March 2011 to February 2015, 50 free-ranging skunks were necropsied and tested for 4 pathogens: influenza A, Aleutian disease virus ( ADV), Leptospira spp. and Salmonella spp. Two skunks (4%) with respiratory disease caused by influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 were detected during the human flu season suggesting that skunks may represent a target population for reverse zoonosis of this strain of influenza A virus. High prevalence of ADV infection was detected (43/50, 86%). Two of the infected skunks exhibited Aleutian disease ( AD) suggesting that skunks act as both a reservoir and a target population for the virus. Most studies of ADV have focused on the potential for infection of free-ranging species living near mink farms. Our study suggests that urban skunks may be a primary host for the virus independent of domestic mink. Whether skunks act as a reservoir of ADV infection for other peridomestic species will depend on host specificity of the viral strains. Leptospira interrogans was detected in 18% (9/49) of the skunks. Identification of the serovar(s) detected is needed to determine any public health risk of leptospirosis following exposure to infected skunks. Salmonella spp. was isolated from three of 43 skunks (7%), specifically S. Typhimurium, S. Muenchen and S. Enteritidis. These serotypes cause disease in humans, but the low prevalence of infection suggests there is a low risk for zoonotic transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT We tested whether striped skunks ( Mephitis mephitis) in Flagstaff, Arizona, USA, could be recognized based on variation in pelage patterns and whether camera position influenced that outcome. We presented 11 volunteers with 2 sets of 24 photographs taken between 1 January and 15 February 2015, one with animals photographed from the side, the other from above. Each set of 24 photographs included 9 pairs, with each pair representing 2 different images of the same animal. Volunteers scored twice as many correct matches and 4-fold fewer false matches when photographs were taken from above. Regardless of camera position, the total number of unique skunks in each set was underestimated (83% of total from above, 75% from side), likely because some skunks had very similar pelage patterns. Our results indicate that variation in nose stripe, back stripe, dorsal and ventral tail pattern, and shape of tail can be used to recognize individual striped skunks but similarity in those characteristics among some individuals may cause total number of unique individuals to be underestimated regardless of camera orientation. © 2017 The Wildlife Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skunks are popular carnivore species kept both in zoological institutions and in households where they are hand raised as exotic pets. These small carnivores are considered the main definitive hosts of the roundworm Baylisascaris columnaris. The purpose of this survey was to investigate the occurrence of Baylisascaris spp. in striped skunks kept as pets or in private zoo collections in some European areas. Copromicroscopic data from two laboratories, one in Italy and one in Germany, were used. A total of 60 animals were selected. Samples came from Germany ( n = 30), Italy ( n = 23), United Kingdom ( n = 5), Austria ( n = 1), and the Netherlands ( n = 1). Twenty-eight animals were certainly kept as pets in private households in Italy and the UK. Fifteen out of 60 animals (25%) were positive for Baylisascaris spp. Molecular identification of adult parasites was performed in ten of those animals, revealing B. columnaris in all cases. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first survey of Baylisascaris spp. in captive skunks in Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Sunda stink-badger Mydaus javanensis is a small carnivore inhabiting the Southeast Asian islands of Borneo, Java, Sumatra, and the Natuna Archipelago. Documented sightings are relatively common, yet the species' behavioural ecology remains poorly understood. Whilst the species is reported to be broadly nocturnal, its detailed activity pattern has never been quantified. This study analysed photographic events from a large scale, long-term camera trapping study to assess times of activity for the Sunda stink-badger. The study took place within the lowland riparian forest corridor of the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary (LKWS) in the Northeast Bornean state of Sabah. Through 2010-2015, 24,506 potential trap nights collected 2,268 Sunda stink-badger images across 470 unique events. Sunda stink-badger activity pattern was modelled using kernel density estimation, and indicated a highly nocturnal activity pattern with no detected activity during the diurnal hours, consistent with previous records. All photographs were taken between 1839 hours and 0627 hours, and modelling indicated two clear peaks in nocturnal activity, the first at 2100 hours and the second at 0500 hours. Overlap in activity patterns was found to be high (≥ 80%) between wet and dry seasons, and also between moon phases, indicating a lack of seasonal or lunar effects on Sunda stink-badger activity. An encounter rate of 1.92 unique Sunda stink-badger events per 100 potential trap nights was recorded for the LKWS. This encounter rate was lower than those found in other regional studies with lower levels of anthropogenic disturbance, suggesting extensive anthropogenic disturbance may pose a potential negative impact to the species. Whilst activity patterns derived from camera trapping are restricted to movement through the environment, these results have established a baseline for Sunda stink-badger activity patterns within a fragmented habitat subjected to high levels of anthropogenic disturbance, and have improved the basic ecological understanding of the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Determining social contacts among solitary carnivores is difficult given their often nocturnal and secretive nature. We used proximity-sensing radiocollars to quantify social contacts and den sharing among striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) in suburban Flagstaff, Arizona, United States, in summer, autumn, and winter 2012-2013. During June and July, we followed 6 males and 5 females and, in spite of overlapping home ranges, they had few social contacts (range = 0-7), and all were brief, nocturnal encounters. From October through February, we followed 8 males and 9 females and found that patterns of contacts were similar for males and females except for significantly higher diurnal contacts (co-denning) among females in winter. Females varied in denning behavior; 1 female denned continuously in the same location from early November to late January, while at the other extreme 1 female moved among 10 different dens across the same time period. Several females moved to new communal dens in late January, resulting in new combinations of females co-denning. Males visited multiple female dens throughout winter. Overall, our data were consistent with previous studies in documenting overlapping home ranges of both sexes with few social contacts in summer, male intolerance but lack of male territoriality, and divergent social behavior in winter, with females co-denning while males generally denned alone. Our study differed from others in documenting more social interaction and movement during winter, often through nocturnal visits by males to female dens, and a shift in denning associations among females near the end of January. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Sunda stink-badger Mydaus javanensis is a small carnivore inhabiting the South-east Asian islands of Java, Sumatra, Borneo and Natuna Islands. It occurs in a wide variety of vegetation types and is presently listed by The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as Least Concern. We analysed 15 (Balanced Model) or 77 (Spatial Filtering Model) location records to predict habitat suitability across Borneo. The analysis suggests that most of the suitable habitat is located in Sabah, northeast Sarawak and North Kalimantan. In addition, this species is also recorded, mostly historically, patchily in west Sarawak, and West, Central, South and East Kalimantan. Although this species appears to be disturbance-tolerant and is frequently observed in village areas, some conservation action - such as limiting large-scale forest conversion to oil palm plantations - is warranted because most lowland habitat is unprotected. Further research in central and southern Borneo needs to focus on showing if there are any further sizable populations. Also, hunting of Sunda stink-badger has been reported in some parts of Borneo and might be a possible driver for the species's patchy distribution. More research is warranted to understand what determines the species's distribution and density, based on which proper conservation strategies, if needed, can be developed to preserve the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adenoviruses are a ubiquitous group of viruses that have been found in a wide range of hosts. A novel adenovirus from a skunk suffering from acute hepatitis was isolated and its DNA genome sequenced. The analysis revealed this virus to be a new member of the genus Mastadenovirus , with a genome of 31,848 bp in length containing 30 genes predicted to encode proteins, and with a G+C content of 49.0%. Global genomic organization indicated SkAdV-1 was similar in organization to bat and canine adenoviruses, and phylogenetic comparison suggested these viruses shared a common ancestor. SkAdV-1 demonstrated an ability to replicate in several mammalian liver cell lines suggesting a potential tropism for this virus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aleutian disease virus (ADV, Amdovirus, Parvoviridae) primarily infects farmed mustelids (mink and ferrets) but also other fur-bearing animals and humans. Three Aleutian disease (AD) cases have been described in captive striped skunks; however, little is known about the relevance of AD in free-ranging carnivores. This work describes the pathological findings and temporospatial distribution in 7 cases of AD in free-ranging striped skunks. All cases showed neurologic disease and were found in a 46-month period (2010–2013) within a localized geographical region in California. Lesions included multisystemic plasmacytic and lymphocytic inflammation (ie, interstitial nephritis, myocarditis, hepatitis, meningoencephalitis, pneumonia, and splenitis), glomerulonephritis, arteritis with or without fibrinoid necrosis in several organs (ie, kidney, heart, brain, and spleen), splenomegaly, ascites/hydrothorax, and/or encephalomalacia with cerebral microangiopathy. ADV infection was confirmed in all cases by specific polymerase chain reaction and/or in situ hybridization. The results suggest that AD is an emerging disease in free-ranging striped skunks in California. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rabies is arguably the most important viral zoonotic disease worldwide with an estimated 55,000 human deaths each year. Globally, dogs are the primary animals affected. In the United States, especially on the East Coast, raccoons and bats are the primary reservoir. However, in the southwestern United States, skunk and bat rabies play a large role. We describe the epidemiology and environmental risk factors associated with rabies in the US Southwest using exposure data for 2004-2012 from one Arizona county as a case study. Unlike other parts of the country, here bats and skunks are the most commonly collected positive animals (62% and 32%, respectively). Even though most of the positive animals were bats, human and domestic animal exposures were primarily a result of skunk interactions (58% and 50%, respectively). Consequently, the majority of exposures occur early in the year, January and February, when the majority of skunk pickups also occur. Using public health surveillance data, our study highlights the importance of recognizing the role of skunks in human and animal exposures in the southwestern United States. Consistent with a 'One Health' approach, our data show how wildlife and domestic animal and human exposures are associated and informative to one another. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective--To determine percentages of domestic cats and dogs vaccinated against rabies, identify barriers to vaccination, and assess knowledge about rabies in a semirural New Mexico community after a skunk rabies outbreak. Design--Cross-sectional, door-to-door, bilingual, community-based participatory survey. Sample--366 residential properties in Eddy County, NM. Procedures--The New Mexico Department of Health and CDC administered surveys and analyzed data. Results--Individuals at 247 of the 366 residential properties participated in the survey. One hundred eighty of the 247 (73%) households owned a dog (n = 292) or cat (163). Cats were more likely than dogs to not have an up-to-date rabies vaccination status (prevalence ratio, 3.2; 95% confidence interval, 2.3 to 4.4). Cost and time or scheduling were the most frequently identified barriers to vaccination. One hundred sixty (65%) respondents did not know livestock can transmit rabies, 78 (32%) did not know rabies is fatal, and 89 (36%) did not know a bat scratching a person can be an exposure. Only 187 (76%) respondents indicated they would contact animal control if they saw a sick skunk, and only 166 (67%) indicated they would contact animal control if bitten by a dog they did not own. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance--Findings indicated that rabies vaccination prevalence among pet dogs and cats was low, despite the fact that the region had experienced a skunk rabies outbreak during the previous 2 years. In addition, substantial percentages of respondents did not have correct knowledge of rabies or rabies exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author presents a personal narrative of his experience of spending his childhood in Niagara, Ontario where his father owned a fruit farm, a skunk getting caught in a wire of fence at the barn and his attending a prayer at church.

We analyzed sera from diverse mammals of Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, for evidence of Francisella tularensis exposure. Skunks and raccoons were frequently seroreactive, whereas white-footed mice, cottontail rabbits, deer, rats, and dogs were not. Tularemia surveillance may be facilitated by focusing on skunks and raccoons.