Wildlife guidance should come before hands-on rescue
El Paso Animal Services advises residents not to approach or touch wild animals, including those that appear injured or young. Guidance reported by KVIA says unusual behavior such as circling, staggering, shaking, or apparent self-injury is a reason to call 311. Residents are also advised to remove outdoor pet food and water bowls, secure trash cans, inspect yards before releasing pets, and avoid feeding or interacting with wildlife.
The same guidance identifies coyotes, foxes, raccoons, skunks, and bats as high-risk rabies wildlife. It directs residents with wildlife questions to 311 or Texas Parks and Wildlife at (915) 849-4080 and recommends keeping pets current on their yearly rabies vaccinations, according to KVIA’s account of the agency’s recommendations.
Rabies precautions make distance important
Texas recorded 350 animal rabies cases through September 1, including 149 involving bats and 112 involving skunks, the Houston Chronicle reported, citing Texas Department of State Health Services data. The Chronicle also reported that rabies can spread through bites, scratches, or saliva and that people exposed to saliva from a high-risk animal should wash the affected area with soap and water for 15 minutes and seek medical care.
Discarded containers can trap small animals
Food packaging is another part of the risk. Mental Floss reported that the narrow opening and wider base of some Yoplait containers have trapped skunks and other small animals. After animal advocates raised concerns, General Mills added a “Protect Wildlife: Crush Cup Before Disposal” warning in 1998. Rinsing containers and making them unusable before disposal can reduce the chance that wildlife will become trapped.
What happened in northwest El Paso
Against that safety backdrop, KVIA reported that a northwest El Paso resident identified as Fred found a skunk with a yogurt cup over its head and later freed it. Security-camera footage shared with the station showed the animal moving in circles in his driveway before the rescue and running away afterward. KVIA said it sought comment from El Paso Animal Services but had not received a response when its report was published.
