When you think of animal ambassadors, giant pandas and bald eagles come to mind, but a skunk?

The latest animal ambassador at the National Aviary is a sister pair of 4-month-old striped skunks from the Cincinnati Zoo.

They are living behind the scenes at the Aviary. The public can see them during free Forest Friends Talks held daily at 1 p.m. or scheduled group encounters. (Check the Aviary’s website to confirm the event if visiting.)

Striped skunks are found at zoos around the country, including the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington, D.C.

The animals are descented – their scent glands are surgically removed when they are young.

Besides being cute, skunks are a good example of the role mammals play in their native habitat, which includes Pennsylvania, said Cathy Schlott, the Aviary’s director of animal programs and experiences.

“We like to showcase animals that have been chronically misunderstood,” she said.

Skunks are like vultures, misjudged because some people think they are unpleasant and unimportant, Schlott said.

Skunks spray the pungent musk from their scent glands only as a last resort when they are threatened, she said. Dogs frequently are sprayed because they don’t recognize the skunk’s other defenses, such as stomping and posturing.

“The dogs think they want to play,” Schlott added.

Skunks can spray up to 15 feet, according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

They control insect pests, particularly in agricultural areas, and also eat fruit, nuts and carrion. Skunks disperse seeds, promoting plant biodiversity, and contribute to a healthy ecosystem.

Schlott calls them “natural pest control.”

“They have adorable little furry faces,” she said.

But they are not cuddle buddies and should not be picked up, even by Aviary staff.

The two skunk sisters are in training to be ambassadors and are already used to people, Schlott said. Aviary staff use cellphones to play vocalizations of babies crying so they are accustomed to the sounds of crowds.

Using positive reinforcement like treats, Aviary staff teach the skunks to exit their traveling crate for school visits and other events.

“When we do encounters, it’s important for us to give our animals the choice to participate. If they don’t want to come out, they don’t have to,” Schlott said.

When Aviary staff members visit schools, they don’t talk about just birds. They focus on biodiversity and habitat as well. And they do have non-avian wildlife at the North Side facility, including a sloth and armadillo.

As a zoo, the Aviary plans its collections a decade out. Schlott considers educational standards and curriculum at local schools and tries to tailor school presentations and availability of aviary ambassadors for current education trends.

“For me, it’s about native wildlife,” Schlott said.

“There’s a lot of classes and programs about conservation around the world, but we need to get people to understand what is outside their back door in Pennsylvania. We are all part of the same environment.”

The Aviary is holding a naming contest for the skunk sisters: The first round of free public suggestions via the aviary’s website runs through noon Sept. 14. In the second round, the Aviary’s animal care team will select three sets of two names from the suggestions.

The public can then vote, $5 for five votes, on the final name nomination starting Sept. 15. The winning names will be announced in early October.

First Published: September 10, 2026, 12:00 a.m.