Rare group of western spotted skunks returned to the wild after rehabbing in Ramona

A group of western spotted skunks was released back into the wild by the San Diego Humane Society earlier this month, marking what the organization's animal experts described as a "rare" and "special" moment.

The skunks' journey began when the original members of the group - a small huddle of three young spotted skunks - were discovered in Valley Center in May. Believed to be orphaned siblings, the group was brought to the Ramona Wildlife Center for treatment and rehabilitation, said Angela Hernandez-Cusick, the wildlife rehabilitation supervisor at the center.

"Spotted skunks are particularly rare to see, even in wildlife rehabilitation," said Hernandez-Cusick. "We’ve only seen one or two, if that, per year of western spotted skunks come into our care …. there are years we go without seeing any."

Officials said unlike striped skunks - which can oftentimes be found in urban neighborhoods and which come through the center by the hundreds each year - spotted skunks prefer remote forest areas, typically away from people.

The siblings already at the center were then joined by another orphaned adolescent skunk who came to Ramona through the Sierra Wildlife Rescue in Northern California on June 2, officials said.

"They were already a really sweet group, but it was really unique that when we brought in the single one and combined them with the siblings, they took to each other right away," said Hernandez-Cusick. "They started exploring the enclosure together, they integrated very well with each other, and it was good for their development and mental health."

The decision to transport the single skunk over 400 miles is because socialization is a critical component to an orphaned spotted skunk’s development, officials said. The group eventually became a bonded unit that explores, digs and sleeps together - all behaviors necessary for them to survive in the wild, officials said.

In order to aid in their development, the skunks were given "enrichment" opportunities within their pen. For instance, inside the skunks’ pen, a cat litter box was filled with dirt, leaves and other natural substrate. Staff then inserted live and dried insects into the box to teach the animals natural foraging behaviors.

Another practice involved staff stuffing insects, herbs and different scents into the leaves of lettuce heads, offering the adolescent skunks another challenge that would put their developing foraging skills to the test.

"Not only were we creating a fun way for them to learn how to forage and search for food, but it also mentally stimulates them as they get different smells, different textures and keeps them busy," said Hernandez-Cusick.

After several weeks at the center, the skunks each reached their necessary weight, and organization officials decided the skunks were ready to return to their natural habitat. On July 1, officials said they released the four members of the group in a remote area of Valley Center.

"They started climbing, digging, foraging around the release site," said Hernandez-Cusick. "It was really special to see those four go back out."

However, the center's work with the species is not over. Two other spotted skunks, believed to be younger than the original group, were also found in the past few weeks in Valley Center and Jamul. Officials said these two smaller ones will require more time before they can also be released.

They are being kept together to ensure they have each other as companions and will be sent back into the wild within the next month or two, officials said.

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This story was originally published July 8, 2026 at 5:16 PM.