Staff Report

The Bronx Zoo has an unexpected new addition: a red fox discovered as a stowaway on a ship that arrived at the Port of New York and New Jersey from Southampton, England.

According to the Wildlife Conservation Society, the fox is an 11-pound male estimated to be 2 years old. He was found with the ship’s cargo and subsequently secured by United States Customs and Border Protection. CPB then coordinated with government wildlife officials to bring the fox to the zoo Feb. 19, according to WCS.

CPB’s Office of Field Operations called the fox “a sly stowaway” in a social media post.

Red foxes are some of the most widespread carnivorous mammals in the world, WCS said. They can be found across Europe, Asia, North America and areas of Africa. They can be identified by their reddish coats and bushy, white-tipped tails. They are also known for their adaptability, which allows them to not only survive but thrive in environments from lush forests to urban areas.

The foxes also have flexible diets, which can include everything from fruits and insects to rodents and birds. They are highly opportunistic, omnivorous eaters with sharp hunting, foraging and scavenging skills. In cities like New York, they may be seen rummaging around in the garbage for a meal.

The Bronx Zoo, located on 265 acres of hardwood forest, has regularly worked with officials to rescue illegally trafficked wildlife at local ports and airports. This red fox, however, stowed away on the ship unbeknownst to the crew, unwittingly making a roughly 3,600 mile journey across the ocean.

As of March 11, the fox was in the care of the animal and veterinary teams at the zoo’s Animal Health Center, WCS said. Initial examinations indicated that the fox was in good condition, but veterinarians continue to await results from further routine health screenings.

Once veterinarians determine the fox is completely healthy, the zoo plans to work with wildlife experts to find the right long-term home for the animal.

CPB agriculture specialists coordinated with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and New Jersey Fish and Wildlife to bring the red fox safely to the zoo.

Keywords

Bronx Zoo,

red fox,

stowaway animal,

Port of New York and New Jersey,

Wildlife Conservation Society