The Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center has received its first rare Eastern Spotted Skunk after being stuck in a dryer vent. This rare species is a Tier IV Species of Greatest Conservation Need and Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

The (SWVAWC) has received what it says is its first Eastern Spotted Skunk for treatment. The skunk was found in a dryer exhaust vent in a neighboring county; the county isn’t being named because of the animal’s scarcity,

Eastern spotted skunks are relatively rare, and are listed as “vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List. They used to be more common, but their population has decreased in the last 80 years for various reasons. The center stated that only 6 sightings have been reported in Minnesota in the last 20 years!

The Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center is well known for taking in all sorts of animals rescued from the wild, but they currently have a first-time visitor.