Zoo cares for rescued arctic fox en route to new home

After a brief behind-the-scenes stay, fox will join a male companion in Wisconsin

A fantastic little visitor is making a big impact at the Oregon Zoo this week. A young arctic fox, found wandering in southwest Portland last month, has briefly taken up residence behind the scenes at the zoo before heading to a new home in Wisconsin. 

“She’s been very curious and interested in her surroundings,” said Kate Gilmore, who oversees the zoo’s ambassador animal area. “She spent the weekend hopping over logs, foraging for her diet and practicing being a fox! We’re glad we can provide care and enrichment for her until she’s ready for her next chapter.” 

The young fox, weighing about 6½ pounds with snowy white fur, arrived at the zoo Friday, Nov. 8, from the Bird Alliance of Oregon, which had been caring for her since mid-October. Staff there determined she had been kept as a pet, which is illegal in Oregon. Because of her upbringing, she would not be able to survive in the wild.

Though not much is known about the fox’s past, wildlife groups are working together to ensure she has a bright future. On Thursday, Nov. 14, she will move to a new home at Ochsner Park Zoo in Baraboo, Wisconsin, joining a male fox named Apollo.

“We’re grateful to our partners at the Oregon Zoo for providing wonderful temporary care for this little fox, and to the Oregon Department of Agriculture for all of their work to find a safe and stable home for her,” said Quinn Read, the Bird Alliance of Oregon’s conservation director. “While her story reminds us that wild animals are not pets, it’s been heartening to see so much community support and investment in her future.”

Gilmore hopes people take a valuable lesson from her story. 

“It’s wonderful to see her thriving, but this fox should never have been a pet,” she said. “Like many wild animals that wind up in the illegal pet trade, arctic foxes have complex care needs that can only be met by people with specialized training at licensed and properly equipped facilities.”

Not only is the buying and selling of many wild animals illegal but the practice can lead to harmful outcomes for both animals and humans. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Wildlife Trafficking Alliance works in partnership with the International Fund for Animal Welfare to prevent certain wild animals from becoming pets. Learn more at NotAPet.net. 

In Oregon, people can report suspected illegal animal sales by calling the Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Division hotline: 800-452-7888.