Red fox hides out on cargo ship, travels from England to New York
A small red fox managed to slip past border security and hitch a ride to the United States after sneaking aboard a cargo ship departing from England.
The fox secretly boarded the M/V Tijuca, a vessel used to transport automobiles, before it left Southampton on Feb. 4. At some point during the ship’s two-week voyage across the Atlantic, the unexpected passenger was discovered by the crew. How the animal got onto the ship and exactly when it was found during the 14-day trip remain unknown. It’s also unclear how the fox managed to survive the long journey at sea.
When the ship arrived at the Port of New York and New Jersey on Feb. 18, officers with U.S. Customs and Border Protection took custody of the animal. The following day, the fox was transferred to the Bronx Zoo.
According to the Wildlife Conservation Society, the animal has since been staying at the zoo’s Animal Health Center. Keith Lovett, the zoo’s director of animal programs, said the fox appears to be adjusting well after its unusual trip and is currently being monitored and evaluated by veterinary staff.
Initial examinations suggest the fox is in good health. It weighs about 11 pounds, which falls within the typical range for an adult male red fox.
Zoo officials have not yet chosen a permanent home for the animal. After veterinarians complete their evaluations, the Bronx Zoo plans to determine a suitable long-term placement. The zoo currently does not have any red foxes on display.
Red foxes are actually native to North America, and wild populations are known to exist in areas such as the Bronx and Staten Island. Recognizable by their reddish fur and white-tipped bushy tails, these animals are mostly active at night and can reach speeds of about 26 miles per hour in short bursts. Their diet is varied and may include rodents, birds, insects, fruit, and other available food sources.
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