PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A stray Arctic fox was taken to the Bird Alliance of Oregon’s wildlife rehabilitation hospital on Oct. 12 after it was found wandering the streets of Portland.
Bird Alliance of Oregon spokesperson Ali Berman told NewsNation affiliate KOIN that the 6.5-pound female fox was thin and dehydrated when it was brought to the wildlife hospital, but was otherwise in good health.
The fox, which was first reported by Oregon Public Broadcasting, was said to be lost and unable to fend for herself when she was picked up and taken to the center by a good Samaritan.
“While we don’t have information yet on where the Arctic fox came from, or how she got to Portland, we believe the animal has only known a life of captivity,” Berman said. “The fox doesn’t show a species appropriate fear response to people and was actually approaching humans when rescued.”
Although arctic foxes are found in North America, the animal was found more than 1,000 miles from the frozen tundra, its natural habitat.
“Arctic Foxes don’t naturally occur in Oregon, so this species is considered an exotic animal here,” Berman said. “Its native habitat includes Greenland, Iceland, Svalbard, northern Russia, islands in the Bering Sea, Alaska, and Canada, among other northern locations.”
Bird Alliance of Oregon Wildlife Care Center Manager Ashley Lema said that she’s thankful someone brought the fox in for medical treatment. Once the fox has recovered, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife will decide where to take her.
“We believe the fox either accidentally escaped from captivity or was intentionally dumped by the people who illegally held her,” Lema said. “After a few days of being on the loose, the female fox was desperate enough and approached a person for help, as it’s likely that humans have provided her food her whole life. Not only is she in the wrong habitat, but she just doesn’t have the skills necessary, like hunting, to survive in the wild.”
Due to its domestication, ODFW officials will not release the fox into the wild.
“Unfortunately, this Arctic fox’s story is all too common,” Lema said. “Wild animals aren’t pets and treating them like domestic animals isn’t just dangerous for people, but it’s often a death sentence for wildlife. Even if they are rescued or removed from captivity, the animal will never be able to return to the wild.”