Red Fox Stowaway from England at Bronx Zoo

A two-year-old male red fox weighing about 11 pounds has been placed under veterinary care at the Bronx Zoo in New York City after stowing away on a cargo ship that sailed across the Atlantic from England. The vessel, loaded with automobiles, departed Southampton on February 4 and arrived at the Port of New York and New Jersey on February 18, marking the end of its 14-day journey. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers discovered the animal upon docking and transferred it to the zoo the following day.

Officials remain uncertain about how the fox boarded the ship or when it was first noticed during the voyage. The Bronx Zoo, operated by the Wildlife Conservation Society, has taken responsibility for the animal's immediate welfare. Initial examinations indicate the fox is in good health and adapting to its new surroundings. Veterinarians are conducting routine screenings to assess its overall condition, including potential diseases and parasites. For now, the fox resides in the zoo's veterinary center, receiving a diet of produce, proteins and biscuit-like items suited to its omnivorous nature.

Keith Lovett, the zoo's vice president and director of animal programs, described...