A red fox survived a 14-day voyage across the Atlantic Ocean hidden aboard a cargo ship carrying automobiles from England, and is now being cared for at the Bronx Zoo.
The fox boarded a ship that departed Southampton on February 4 and arrived February 18 at the Port of New York and New Jersey. The Bronx Zoo received the animal the following day.
Officials do not know how the fox got onto the vessel or at what point during the journey it was discovered. The ship had been transporting automobiles from England to the United States, and somewhere along the way — whether in a cargo hold, between vehicles, or in some other hidden corner — the fox became an unregistered passenger.
The North Atlantic in February is no gentle passage, and the conditions aboard a working cargo ship are far from hospitable for wildlife. Yet the fox managed to survive the grueling crossing.
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Red Fox Captured at the Port
Upon the ship’s arrival, officers with U.S. Customs and Border Protection captured the animal and transferred it to the Bronx Zoo the next day. The handoff placed the fox in the care of one of the most well-known and well-equipped zoological institutions in the country.
The fox is an approximately 11-pound male estimated to be about 2 years old. Early veterinary examinations found that the animal appears healthy — a remarkable outcome given the circumstances of its trip.
Keith Lovett, the zoo’s director of animal programs, told the Associated Press, “He seems to be settling in well.”
Lovett added, “It’s gone through a lot.”
Federal Agency Responds to Stowaway Fox
The role of U.S. Customs and Border Protection in the fox’s story underscores that the agency’s work extends beyond the human realm. When officers encountered the unexpected stowaway, they moved to secure the animal and connect it with appropriate care.
A spokesperson for Customs and Border Protection told New York Post, “CBP routinely works with our federal and state wildlife protection partners to protect regulated wildlife and is pleased to place this ‘stowaway’ in the Bronx Zoo’s care.”
The statement points to an established protocol for dealing with wildlife that arrives — intentionally or otherwise — at U.S. ports of entry, and the coordination between federal authorities and institutions like the Bronx Zoo that can provide specialized animal care.
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The Fox Is Under Veterinary Watch
The fox is currently being monitored and treated at the zoo’s Animal Health Center. Preliminary evaluations indicate the animal is in good condition, offering some reassurance after its long and unusual journey.
While under veterinary care, the fox is being fed a diet that includes produce, proteins and biscuit-like items suitable for an omnivorous species. That varied menu reflects the dietary needs of red foxes, which in the wild are opportunistic eaters.
Zoo officials said the fox has not yet been named. A long-term placement will be determined once veterinary screenings are complete.
The zoo has said it will work to identify an “appropriate long-term home for the animal.” Whether that means a permanent spot at the Bronx Zoo or placement at another facility remains to be seen.
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The Red Fox Species Is Already in the Bronx
Red foxes, scientifically known as Vulpes vulpes, are found across Europe, Asia, North America and parts of Africa. They are among the most widespread and adaptable wild carnivores on the planet, thriving in environments from rural countryside to dense urban centers.
This particular fox’s new surroundings may not be as foreign as one might assume. Wild populations of red foxes also live in parts of New York City, including the Bronx and Staten Island.
So while this fox arrived from across the ocean, it has landed in a borough where its species already has a foothold.
For now, the fox remains in the care of Bronx Zoo veterinary staff as screenings continue. The coming weeks will determine whether the animal can be given a permanent placement and where that might be.