Science North animal ambassador passes on after life educating visitors
Science North said goodbye to one of its most iconic ambassadors on Friday. Saunders the striped skunk passed away yesterday after almost a decade in Sudbury.
After his arrival in 2013, Saunders quickly became a resident favourite and helped educate visitors about the animal’s incredible ability to adapt.
"Science North Bluecoats and visitors are mourning the loss of a great animal ambassador…Our veterinarians and Animal Care Team monitored his health closely for the past several months," wrote Science North on social media.
"Saunders has been an iconic animal ambassador at Science North since 2013 and has inspired and mesmerized visitors from around the world."
In an Instagram Post, the centre’s bluecoats shared a remembrance video of the striped critter along with some little known facts that reveal just how great an impact he had.
"Saunders was the first ever skunk I had ever seen up-close in real life. (We don't have skunks in Australia) Meeting Saunders is one of many favourite memories of visiting Science North," wrote user ‘og.ray.ray’ in the post’s comments.
At just one year old, he was adopted from the Saunders Country Critters Zoo in Oxford Station, Ont. but staff made sure his hometown would remain part of his identity.
"He has helped educate many people about skunks' amazing adaptations that make them exceptional nocturnal foragers and one of the most resilient animals in our Northern ecosystems," read the post.
"Saunders enjoyed his target training and walks around the science centre and any enrichment items that involved eating a cockroach."
Saunders will be greatly missed by the city’s residents and all at Science North. Bluecoats are celebrating the Sudbury skunk by inviting visitors from around the world to share their memories of him.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels will take the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
NEW From yearning for a change to cost of living, why some Canadians have left or may leave the country
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
NEW Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Defence attacks Stormy Daniels' credibility as she returns to the stand in Trump's hush money trial
Stormy Daniels will return to the witness stand Thursday in Donald Trump's hush money trial as the defence tries to undermine the credibility of the porn actor's salacious testimony about their alleged sexual encounter and the money she was paid to keep quiet.
With contactless screening tech, this Toronto startup hopes to catch breast cancer early — and save lives
Amid evidence of rising breast cancer rates among young women in Canada, one Toronto startup is offering a contactless and radiation-free device that can help doctors identify suspicious changes in breast tissue. The company, Linda Lifetech, says this can lead to earlier detection of breast cancer.
Tornadoes tear through southeastern U.S. as storms leave 3 dead
Forecasters warned a wave of dangerous storms in the U.S. could wash over parts of the South early Thursday, a day after severe weather with damaging tornadoes and large hail killed at least three people in the region.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.