A four-month old baby Skunk is the newest star of the live
animal show at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium.  Thurston makes his debut this weekend in the
zoo’s twice-daily show entitled “Captain Adventure vs.
Dr. Do-Nothing: The Quest to Get Outside!”

Thurston has had his scent glands
removed to protect the audience from any unexpected skunky outbursts.

Striped Skunks live throughout North
America, where they inhabit forests, grasslands, and urban areas.  They feed on insects, small animals, fruits,
grains, and nuts, with their diet varying considerably with the seasons.  When threatened by another animal, Skunks
release a very unpleasant odor from their highly- developed anal scent glands.

The zoo’s live animal show features a superheroine, a superdog, a dastardly villain,
13-16 animals and five zoo staff to deliver a message about the importance of
getting out into nature. 

Photo Credits:  Point Defiance Zoo & Aquraium