In Eureka, Missouri, it's pretty common to spot raccoons climbing trees or skunks on the hunt for food. Wildlife usually coexists peacefully with the locals. However, one day, a wildlife lover named Rebecca noticed something unusual - a baby raccoon and a baby skunk were running around together in a busy parking lot. They spent hours together and refused to part ways.
Where one went, the other followed immediately.
Rebecca suspected that the duo might have been separated from their families. She looked around but found no other skunks or raccoons nearby. It seemed that these two youngsters, both very young and alone, had crossed paths at just the right moment.
“The very young raccoon and very young skunk, possibly separated from their own families, must have crossed each other's paths at just the right time,” Missouri Wildlife Rescue Center (MWRC) wrote on Facebook. “Wild skunks and raccoons of this age would normally be with their siblings, so sticking together may have seemed totally natural to them!”
Source: Wildlife Rescue Center
Source: Wildlife Rescue Center
Although hungry, the raccoon and skunk refused to eat when separated for the first time in days. The baby skunk even started crying and reaching out for the raccoon. Concerned for their well-being, a volunteer at MWRC decided to reunite them in the same crate.
“Despite being offered some tasty treats, the pair was too distressed by their sudden separation to eat,” MWRC wrote in a Facebook post. “In desperation, the baby skunk began crying and reaching out for the baby raccoon …”
Source: Wildlife Rescue Center
Back together, they immediately ate and then snuggled up to sleep, finding comfort in each other's company.
However, the shelter is still determined to find these two friends the most suitable home. So after a final night of snuggles, the raccoon and skunk had their chance to meet their respective families the next day. MWRC knew that while their bond was heartwarming, it was crucial for them to be around their own kind to thrive in the wild.
Source: Wildlife Rescue Center
“Since being introduced to other orphaned skunks of a similar age and condition, the little skunk has been exhibiting healthy skunk behaviors, like stomping at ‘predators’ and raising her tail in warning,” MWRC wrote on Facebook. “Similarly, the baby raccoon, now with other orphaned raccoons, has been climbing branches and foraging for treats in the water.”
In the end, both the skunk and raccoon were released into the wild with their respective families, fully equipped with the skills needed to survive.
Source: Wildlife Rescue Center
You can watch the full journey of two little babies here:
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