A male red fox that stowed away on a car transporter ship from Southampton, UK, to New York has successfully completed quarantine after being treated for a rare form of heartworm. The two-year-old fox, now named Basil, was discovered among cargo by customs officers upon the vessel's arrival at the Port of New York and New Jersey on February 19. He was subsequently taken in by the Bronx Zoo.
Health Recovery and Treatment
The Wildlife Conservation Society, which operates the zoo, reported that Basil was diagnosed with French heartworm, a parasite that infects the blood vessels of the lungs and can cause severe respiratory disease. This parasite is uncommon in the United States but more prevalent in wild foxes and domestic dogs in Europe.
A spokesperson for the society detailed Basil's treatment: "Over the course of approximately one month, Basil received three different types of deworming medications as part of a carefully managed treatment plan. Following treatment, veterinarians repeated diagnostic testing multiple times to confirm the infection has now been successfully cleared."
Throughout his treatment, Basil showed marked improvement. He gained weight, developed a fuller and shinier coat, and demonstrated strong overall health during follow-up examinations. Veterinary and animal care staff noted a dramatic improvement in his body condition and appearance during his most recent health check.
When Basil arrived, he weighed 11.2 pounds (5.1 kilograms). He now weighs 13.7 pounds (6.2 kilograms).
Zoo Director's Remarks
Craig Piper, the zoo's interim director, expressed satisfaction with Basil's progress: "Basil has done exceptionally well since arriving at the Bronx Zoo. Treating wildlife like this requires extensive co-ordination and expertise from our veterinary and animal care teams. We are very pleased with his recovery and continued progress since his long journey across the Atlantic."
Future Plans
The zoo is currently evaluating the most appropriate long-term home for Basil, considering his specific needs as a wild animal that has undergone medical treatment.
Port of Southampton's Reaction
A spokesperson for ABP Southampton humorously commented on the incident: "The Port of Southampton handles everything from cars to containers to cruises, but even we were surprised to find a fox had booked itself a transatlantic crossing. Clearly it fancied swapping the Solent for the Staten Island Ferry, though next time we'd recommend it considers the Queen Mary 2, which offers the Southampton to New York route with considerably more comfort."
Basil's journey and recovery highlight the unexpected challenges that can arise in international shipping and the importance of wildlife conservation efforts in addressing such cases.
