A loose skunk was spotted running across Back Hamlet Road by the University of Suffolk around 9.40pm on Thursday and was caught by dashcam footage from a driver.
The video shows the skunk stopping in the road before running through a gap a fence on the other side of the road.
Yvette Hart from Wags on Water, a fostering animal charity in the town, said that the charity was in contact with the owner about returning the pet home.
People are being advised not leave food out, as doing so may attract the skunk away from areas that it is familiar and not return home.
Striped skunks are not native in the UK, but many live in the wild after escaping from captivity or are sadly dumped by previous owners.
The animals are notorious for releasing a stench when threatened and can be kept as pets legally, but the 2006 Animal Welfare Act makes it illegal to remove their scent glands.