On Sun, 27 Jul 2008 09:07:41 -0400, Cheryl Isaak
wrote:

Last Tuesday I discovered a skunk in my culvert trying to feast on my
recycling. It walked funny and grumbling - no doubt rabies or other
ailment.

I backed away and called Animal Control - who may or may not have shown up.
It was raining quite hard all week.

Well, this AM (Sunday) I had a nice day and time, so I did I quick garden
walk. About 25 feet from the original sighting, there is a very dead
(partially skeletonized) skunk. Due to the oddness of the white stripe
(this one was more white than black, especially on the tail), I'm sure it's
the same animal.


So, do I let nature finish it's work - there are beetles and flies aplenty.
This is a flower garden and an area I can avoid working in for a few weeks.
Or do I grab the shovel and heft it to the woods or compost heap.

Thanks

Cheryl

If it was me... I would dig a hole close by, at least a foot
deep (critters dig up shallow graves) and big enough in
diameter that the corpse fits in easily. Carefully slip
shovel underneath corpse, slide/carry over and place in
hole. Cover with 6 inches or so and tamp down, add several
more inches and tamp. Finish covering the hole.

If you leave it as is another critter will tear into it,
dog, opossum, skunk... and it will stink again, if it
doesn't already.

One was hit in the road maybe 3/4 mile west of us late last
winter. The corpse laid in the ditch, never got buried. Just
recently some scavenger found it again and stirred it up. It
is still pretty potent smelling.

--
Leon Fisk
Grand Rapids MI/Zone 5b
Remove no.spam for email