Ramona-Rehabilitated, Rarely Seen Spotted Skunk Will Be Released Into Wild

Hold your noses and reach for the tomato juice! A rarely seen spotted skunk is being released back into the wild after nearly drowning earlier this year, The Fund for Animals Wildlife Center has announced.

According to a press release from the Humane Society of the United States, the spotted skunk was taken to The Fund for Animals Wildlife Center, located off Highland Valley Road in Ramona, after he was found in January in a trash can that was quickly filling with rain water.

The skunk was "hypothermic and lethargic," the society said, with an exam revealing nerve damage in his front left leg.

For the past three weeks, the skunk has undergone rehabilitative care to ensure that he is strong enough to have full use of his leg, which is integral to his survival, the Humane Society stated.

The notoriously smelly creature was scheduled to be released back into the wild at 3 p.m. Tuesday at the El Capitan Reservoir off Wildcat Canyon Road.

The scent of the day (read: skunk perfume) is expected to be present, so visitors beware.

According to the Humane Society of the United States, a spotted skunk (Spilogale gracilis) is common, but rarely seen by humans.