Over the past couple weeks, skunks have taken over the Castleton campus.

Some students say they have seen up to three different skunks circulating throughout the campus and assume they are a family with one fully grown skunk and two much smaller ones.

Students around campus have mixed emotions about how they feel about sharing campus with them.

Sophomore Camilia Willsey has an interesting take on her opinion about skunks.

“Skunks are kind of annoying but they’re so cute. They’re fluffy and have a fluffy tail and they kind of just waddle around. They’re a perfect size for a pet and I’ve considered having it as a pet,” Willsey said.

Although Willsey has a soft side for skunks, she understands the risk of potentially being in their presence. Seeing them on campus still makes her pause, and head the other way.

“It’s inconvenient because these skunks are not afraid of people. These skunks will walk in the same path as you, not move, or they’ll be really close to the doors as if they’re not afraid of humans,” she said.

Sophomore DeVaughn Miller expressed similar concerns, stating that the skunks on campus aren’t easily startled. That can be both good and bad, he says, but it can leave you feeling uneasy because you’re not sure of their next move.

“I feel like seeing them is cool because it’s nature, but the fact that they live here and you have a fear of being sprayed is kind of worrisome. I don’t know whether the campus can or will do anything, but at night they can pop up out of nowhere and you sometimes have no idea where they are,” Miller said.

Skunks aren’t aggressive animals by nature but it’s critical for people not to scare or startle them when you’re in their presence. Students understand they need to be mindful around campus because in the end, these are simply living creatures going about their business.

Although it’s important to let them do that, they do affect student movement around campus especially at night. Now that they’ve become a routine sighting, students are always on the lookout.

“The skunks both do and don’t affect my movement because I’m not watching my every move, but if I see a skunk, I will become a little more cautious,” Miller said.

“I feel fine during the daytime, but if I’m walking around campus at night, I’m a little worried and just on the lookout,” Ford said.

Students also have ideas of what should or can be done with these skunks if it becomes an issue. Sophomore Maysa Ford has an interesting take as to whether these skunks are here because of another problem.

“I’m not sure why the skunks are choosing to live on campus, but if it’s because there’s garbage around, then yes they should do something about it,” Ford said.

Miller hasn’t heard of any issues with the skunks attacking or spraying anybody, but he feels the school must do something if anything like that were to happen.

“If there was a case where students were getting attacked or sprayed then yes, they should do something but for now just leave them alone,” Miller said.

Willsey believes the skunks should be captured as rescue animals and taken to a facility where you put them on display. Kind of like a sanctuary for rescued animals in Vermont.