When rescuers from the Carolina Wildlife Conservation Center (CWCC) got a call about a group of orphaned baby skunks in need of help, they didn’t hesitate for a second. Somewhere along a quiet roadside, a cluster of tiny, fluffy bodies had been spotted — alone and shivering.
“When I arrived, they were all huddled up,” a CWCC rescuer recalled in a video for The Dodo.
All eight babies were carefully scooped up and brought to the rescue center, where the team gave each one a full health check. Most were doing well — except for one. The tiniest skunk of the bunch was struggling to keep up.
The rescuers named her Angel Wing.
“She was one of the only ones with a black body and a little white head,” the rescuer said. “She just looked so different from the rest.”
For a while, Angel Wing’s future seemed uncertain. But with round-the-clock care and a lot of love, she bounced back stronger than anyone expected.
“She was able to pull through, and in such a big way,” CWCC said. “She came out as this little but mighty character.”
Despite being the smallest, Angel Wing quickly became the boss of the bunch. She was bold, loud, and endlessly playful — always the first to start a wrestling match and the last to go to sleep.
“Angel Wing would just be wreaking havoc,” CWCC laughed.
As chaotic as their playtime seemed, it was a vital part of their growth. The babies needed to learn skunk behavior from one another — not from humans — to prepare them for life back in the wild.
“It’s important for them to all learn together,” CWCC explained. “That way, they don’t imprint on people.”
Weeks later, the once-fragile orphans were thriving — strong, curious, and ready to explore the world on their own. And little Angel Wing, who had once struggled to survive, now led the pack with fearless confidence.
“She’ll probably be the boss of the forest,” CWCC said proudly.
If you ever find a baby skunk alone for more than 24 hours, or one that seems cold or weak, CWCC urges you to contact a local wildlife rescue right away.
And if you’d like to help support their life-saving work, you can donate to the Carolina Wildlife Conservation Center here.
