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Residents living in the basement of Psi-U know all too well about the dead skunk whose noxious fumes waft through the hallway. Although this problem has been remedied, many students have had unpleasant encounters with skunks and bees over the past few weeks. 

While some choose to embrace nature’s creatures and offer them a nurturing hand, others are quick to label them as unwanted pests. The number of skunks found on campus has surprised many students.

"I’ve seen two since I’ve been here and I’ve never seen any before that in my life," said Caroline Cottrell ’04.

Chris Watters ’03 has also experienced many encounters with various animals during his time at Wesleyan, yet seems unfazed by their presence.

"I was walking along and this skunk got all up in my face," he said. 

This semester in particular seems to be plagued by an abnormally bad skunk problem, as seen by residents at AAA House. 

"It doesn’t smell anymore, but they might still be around," said Faika Farzana ’03, a resident. "I don’t know if Physical Plant did something or they just moved."

Others have problems differentiating fiction from reality. When asked to comment on his reaction to the skunks, Mikey Feinberg ’03 addressed skunks’ intelligence.

"Why is it that skunks are so stupid that they think a cat with a white paint stripe on it is also a skunk?" he said.

Bees are another issue of contention for Wesleyan students. They are found at many of Wesleyan’s popular outside dining locations, including the Campus Center and WesWings, often swarming around the garbage cans and tables as students try to eat.

"The number of bees around the trash cans is annoying for people who want to eat outside but there’s really no way to control it," said Annie Galle ’02.

"The bees try to eat my breakfast for me," said Eric Rosoff ’04.

"To quote Wu Tang Clan, ‘Killer bees Y’all," said Feinberg.

Squirrels are another one of nature’s creatures students encounter on a daily basis. Many remain indifferent to the squirrels, but some have had notable encounters with them. While one might expect more from Wesleyan students, reports of animal harassment have been observed.

"I saw these two guys out in the Butt courtyard chasing a squirrel with two sheets," Cottrell said. "I also saw a squirrel hanging from a tree drop a nut on a girl," she said.

"Squirrels freak me out. They freak me out!" is all Jason Sax ’03 had to say.

Adam Hann-Byrd ’03 watched an interesting encounter between two squirrels in a tree outside of Shanklin, complete with screechs coming from the squirrels. After viciously attacking each other, the squirrels scurried away. 

"It’s too early for squirrel sex," he said, rushing off to his morning class.

Since students really have no way to control these critters, some believe that we should learn to share our beloved school with our furry and flying friends.

On the other hand, one might agree with Jenna Flateman ’03.

"[The bees] blow my left nut," she said.