Bird Alliance of Oregon says Arctic fox found stranded in Portland is now 'in great health'
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The Arctic fox found wandering the streets of Portland earlier this fall is now “in great health,” according to the Bird Alliance of Oregon.
The environmental conservation organization shared a photo of the female fox on Friday, saying the Oregon Department of Agriculture is hoping to permanently house her at an accredited facility.
“Because this young fox has lived her life in captivity (illegally here in Oregon, and likely came from another state), she wouldn’t be able to survive in the wild,” the Bird Alliance of Oregon wrote on Instagram.
When the 6.5-pound creature was spotted in mid-October, organization spokesperson Ali Berman told KOIN 6 she was thin and dehydrated before her treatment at a wildlife hospital.
Arctic foxes are typically found in places like Iceland, northern Russia, Alaska and Canada. The animal was more than 1,000 miles away from its natural habitat of a frozen tundra when it was found in Portland.
Experts estimate the fox either accidentally escaped from captivity or was intentionally abandoned by the people who illegally had her in their possession. Despite this, she appears to be adjusting to her temporary living quarters.
“She’s VERY smart and food motivated, like most canines,” the alliance said. “The first time we put her in a larger enclosed area for exercise and enrichment, she found and ate all 12 mice that were hidden (and stuffed inside other things) in less than five minutes!”
The organization said it will provide further updates on the fox sometime soon.