Wildwood Zoo Welcomes New Skunk: Pepper

Tuesday, August 25th, 2026 -- 10:00 AM

Wildwood Zoo is excited to introduce the newest member of its animal ambassador team: Pepper, a young male striped skunk who recently arrived at the zoo from an accredited facility.

At approximately one pound, Pepper is still a young skunk, but his keepers are already seeing plenty of personality. While he can be a little shy when meeting new people, Pepper is curious, energetic, and full of the spunky attitude that makes skunks such memorable animals.

Pepper’s arrival is also an important step in supporting the social well-being of Wildwood Zoo’s resident skunk, Poppy. Following the recent loss of his sister, Violet, keepers noticed a significant decrease in Poppy’s activity. While Pepper cannot replace Violet, providing Poppy with an appropriate social companion is an important part of supporting the welfare of both animals.

“It’s obvious that Poppy isn’t meant to be a solo skunk. His decrease in activity was well noted with the absence of his sister,” said Zoo Manager Kyle Kirk. “Pepper is slotted to be joining the porcupine and skunk habitat soon, but he’ll also be one of our animal encounters in the coming weeks”.

Pepper will spend time settling into his new surroundings and getting acquainted with his care team before joining Poppy in the woodland critter habitat. In the meantime, guests may have the opportunity to meet Pepper during select animal encounters as he continues his introduction to life at Wildwood Zoo.

A Wisconsin Native

Striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) are a familiar part of Wisconsin’s wildlife. These adaptable mammals can be found throughout the state in a variety of habitats where food, water, and shelter are available.

They are primarily nocturnal and spend much of the day resting in dens or sheltered areas. Despite their reputation for their powerful defensive spray, skunks play an important role in Wisconsin ecosystems.

Their varied diet includes insects, mice, eggs, amphibians, reptiles, fruits, and carrion, making them effective natural pest controllers. Wildwood Zoo hopes Pepper will help guests develop a greater appreciation for these often-misunderstood Wisconsin natives while becoming a valued member of the zoo’s ambassador team.

(Photo courtesy of Wildwood Zoo via press release)

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