A skunk sits in a cage after it was captured at Honolulu Harbor on Wednesday morning. Department of Agriculture photo

A live skunk was captured at Honolulu Harbor’s Pier 1 on Wednesday morning, according to the state Department of Agriculture.

Stevedores spotted the skunk on the dock and used a fishing net to capture and contain it until agricultural inspectors picked it up at about 7:30 a.m. The skunk was a young male and is being tested for rabies.

The container ship that was docked at Pier 1 arrived Tuesday morning and was carrying cargo that originated from the U.S. Mainland, Canada, Mexico and possibly other foreign ports. The ship left port later Wednesday morning and headed to Kahului Harbor, where personnel were advised to look out for other possible stowaways.

Agricultural inspectors deployed traps at Pier 1 in case there are more hitchhiking animals.

Live skunks have been captured at Pier 1 in July 2021, January 2021 and February 2018. On Maui, a live skunk was captured at Kahului Harbor in December 2020, and another was captured at a trucking company in August 2018. All previously captured skunks have tested negative for rabies.

Skunks are prohibited in Hawaii and are only allowed by permit for research and exhibition in a municipal zoo.

To report illegal and invasive species, call (808) 643-PEST (7378).