Summerside, Prince Edward Island — The Atlantic Provinces (North America)
The Striped Skunk
⎯⎯⎯
La Moufette Rayée
Mephitis mephitis
Photographed by Jay Noble, August 28, 2026
1. The Striped Skunk Marker
Skunks are not true Islanders. They "came from away" in 1912, and stayed. Fur farming was highly profitable at the time and two entrepreneurs in the Wilmot Valley decided to try something different - they imported striped skunks from New Brunswick. Skunk fur was marketed in North America as "Alaskan sable." After acquiring a sizable property, they built pens and a building for winter hibernation. However the experiment lasted only three years. The fur was very coarse, the odour persisted in the presence of any dampness, and the market for alaskan sable never really developed. Instead of selling their stock at a loss, the two simply released them into the wild. About 40 animals dispersed and gradually spread across the entire Island.
Skunks have adapted well to Island life. Their only enemy apart from the automobile is the Great horned owl, which has a minimal sense of smell. They are generally non-aggressive and prefer to stamp their feet in warning than use the ultimate weapon. They are also useful predators, unhurriedly waddling about the countryside consuming many mice and insects.
this page online
La mouffette n'est pas une espèce indigène de l'Île elle y a été amenée en 1912. À l'époque, l'élevage d'animaux à fourrure était une activité fort lucrative, et deux entrepreneurs de Wilmot Valley ont décidé de tenter une nouvelle expérience en important des mouffettes rayées du Nouveau-Brunswick. La fourrure de mouffette a été commercialisée sous l'appellation « Alaskan sable> en Amérique du Nord. Après avoir acquis une propriété importante, les deux entrepreneurs ont construit des enclos et un bâtiment pour l'hibernation des animaux. Toutefois, l'expérience n'a duré que trois ans. La fourrure avait une texture très grossière, l'odeur de mouffette ressortait par temps humide et le marché de l'« Alaskan sable» ne s'était jamais réellement développé. Au lieu de vendre leurs animaux à perte, les deux entrepre- neurs les ont relâchés dans la nature. Environ 40 mouffettes se sont alors dispersées et reproduites un peu partout dans l'Île.
Les mouffettes se sont bien adaptées à la vie dans l'île. L'automobile mise à part, le grand-duc d'Amérique, dont l'odorat est
Photographed by Jay Noble, August 28, 2026
2. The Striped Skunk Marker
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Animals. A significant historical year for this entry is 1912.
Location. 46° 23.439′ N, 63° 47.131′ W. Marker is in Summerside, Prince Edward Island. It is on Water Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 140 Water Street, Summerside PE C1N 4N6, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Maritimes and in Atlantic Canada. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony and also the Viceroyalty of New France.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Summerside Fire of 1906 / L’Incendie de Summerside en 1906 (here, next to this marker); Summerside Steamers / Les bateaux à vapeur de Summerside (here, next to this marker); R.T. Holman Ltd. (here, next to this marker); The College of Piping & Celtic Performing Arts of Canada (here, next to this marker); The Great Trail (about 150 meters away, measured in a direct line); Commemorating The Park Island Hotel - 1872 (about 150 meters away); Bicentennial of United Empire Loyalists and Disbanded Troops (about 150 meters away); Trans Canada Trail Logo (about 180 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Summerside.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 12, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 1, 2026, by Jay Noble of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 1, 2026, by Jay Noble of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
