Arctic fox found in Portland is headed to Wisconsin to join male partner
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The domesticated arctic fox found wandering the streets of Portland in October will leave Oregon for her new home, according to officials at the Oregon Zoo.
The fox will arrive at her new home at the Ochsner Park Zoo in Baraboo, Wis. on Nov. 14, where she will join a male fox named Apollo.
The snowy white, 6.5-pound fox was initially taken in by the Bird Alliance of Oregon on Oct. 12. However, the fox has been in the care of the Oregon Zoo since Nov. 8. For the past few days, the zoo has helped her practice foxlike behavior, Oregon Zoo animal curator Kate Gilmore said.
“She’s been very curious and interested in her surroundings,” Gilmore said. “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.”
Gilmore said that the fox’s story serves as a reminder that it is illegal to buy and sell wild animals and that keeping them as pets can have harmful outcomes for animals and humans alike.
“It’s wonderful to see her thriving, but this fox should never have been a pet,” Gilmore 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.”