RENO, NV — A skunk got an unexpected assist from Reno police after wandering onto the department’s property with a jar trapped over its head. Police said the animal showed up at the station overnight before being spotted in the motor pool, where an officer tried to free it.
Video posted by the Reno Police Department on Facebook Saturday showed the skunk moving in circles while an officer used a snow shovel in an effort to pull the jar away. The first try did not work, but the second attempt succeeded, and the skunk ran off once it was free.
Police said the encounter ended without anyone getting sprayed, turning what could have been a messy wildlife call into a quick rescue.
Officer uses a snow shovel in a careful two-step rescue
The video shows the skunk in a confined area near the station as the officer approaches with a shovel. Rather than forcing the animal by hand, the officer used the tool to try to lift the jar clear of the skunk’s head.
According to the police department, the animal remained mobile during the attempt and kept circling as the officer worked. That first effort failed, but the officer persisted and was able to remove the jar on the second try.
Once the skunk was freed, it immediately left the area. Police did not describe any injuries to the animal, and the department’s post suggested the outcome was a relief for everyone involved.
Reno police turn the unusual wildlife call into a joke on Facebook
Reno police used humor in their Facebook post about the rescue, telling visitors to make an appointment before coming to the agency or risk being escorted off the property by “Reno’s finest.” The department added the line, “Luckily, no one was sprayed!”
The light tone matched the oddity of the scene, but the underlying problem was real: a wild animal had become trapped in a container and needed help to get free. The post drew attention because the skunk had effectively walked itself to the place where help was available.
The department’s message also made clear that the incident happened at the station, not out in the field during a routine animal call, which made the rescue even more unusual.
Wildlife groups warn jars can become deadly traps for animals
The skunk’s rescue reflects a broader hazard wildlife advocates have warned about for years. The U.S. National Wildlife Federation recommends keeping garbage and recycling in wildlife-proof containers, cleaning recyclable containers, and securing lids to reduce the chance that animals get trapped.
In some communities, people may also be allowed to crush containers before putting them out for collection, depending on local waste rules. The goal is to make sure food residue or openings do not attract animals that can then become stuck.
The danger is especially serious once an animal cannot remove the container on its own. The Conservancy of Southwest Florida says a jar on an animal’s head is nearly impossible for it to free itself, and a trapped animal can die from starvation or dehydration if it is not noticed.
Research shows jar entrapment is a common problem for trapped animals
A 2021 study in the journal Scientific Reports looked at 503 online reports of animals trapped in containers. Researchers found that nearly one-third of those cases involved animals stuck in glass or plastic jars, showing that the problem is not rare.
That finding helps explain why a simple household item can become a serious wildlife threat. Containers that seem harmless to people can turn into traps when animals investigate leftovers or try to reach food inside.
The Reno case did not end in injury, but the research and wildlife guidance point to the same lesson: storing waste and recyclables carefully can prevent a rescue from becoming a much worse outcome.
A close call that ended with a fast escape
For Reno police, the skunk incident was brief, odd and fortunately successful. The animal arrived at the station on its own, the officer responded with patience, and the jar came off without anyone being sprayed.
While the department framed the moment with a joke, the rescue also highlighted the practical side of wildlife encounters in urban areas. Small changes in how trash and containers are stored can keep wild animals from winding up in dangerous situations in the first place.
In this case, the skunk got the help it needed and disappeared back into the night after a short and very unconventional stop at the police station.
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