On February 4, a car transport ship departed from the port of Southampton, in southern England. It was bound for the Port of New York and New Jersey in the United States of America, about 6,400 kilometers away.
After a 14-day voyage, the ship docked at the American port, but, as it turned out, it carried more than cars.
A male fox (Vulpes vulpes), about two years old, was discovered by the ship’s crew even before it reached its destination, though it is not known how the animal managed to get on board.
According to information released by the non-governmental organization Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), when the ship docked, the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency, in coordination with wildlife management officials, rescued the fox.
Weighing approximately five kilograms, the animal was forwarded to the Bronx Zoo, operated by WCS, on February 19. Preliminary examinations showed that it is in good health, with results from additional analyses pending.
When the veterinary teams determine that the fox is healthy, the zoo, together with wildlife experts, will seek a permanent home for the animal.
