FLAGSTAFF,
Ariz. (AP) — Desert bighorn sheep, river otters and mountain
lions, yes. But a hog-nosed skunk at the Grand Canyon? Hardly.
The
striped creatures are usually found in southeastern Arizona, Texas and Mexico.
But one of them somehow made its way north of the Colorado River last
year.
A
group of rafters camping along the river in August was headed for bed when they
noticed a black-and-white animal in the bushes near one of their
tents. Jen Hiebert grabbed her camera, zoomed in and took some
pictures.
When
the rafters didn't see the skunk listed as one of the animals found at the
Grand Canyon, Hiebertsent photos and a note to the National Park Service.
"It
was just walking through the canyon, totally ignored us and was just digging
away in the sand," said Hiebert, of Moscow, Idaho. "I'm not sure what
it was after."
Grand
Canyon biologists later confirmed the group's suspicion that it was a hog-nosed
skunk.
At
first, officials weren't sure whether the skunk was merely visiting the area,
or if they should to add it to the list of about 90 mammals that live in the national
park. They decided that by listing it — even as extremely rare — people might
be on the lookout for more of the skunks, and that could help biologists
determine how prevalent they are in the park.
"Obviously
it's in the park and there's a photograph of it," Grand Canyon
wildlife program manager Greg Holm said. "I guess the question would be, is
it going to live out its life here or was it traveling from point A to point
B?"
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