Portland, United States - November 13, 2024 After weeks of recovery and care, a young arctic fox found wandering in southwest Portland is ready for a fresh start. The snowy, 6½-pound visitor, temporarily housed behind the scenes at the Oregon Zoo, will soon head to Ochsner Park Zoo in Baraboo, Wisconsin, where she will join a male companion named Apollo. Brought to the Oregon Zoo from the Bird Alliance of Oregon on November 8, the fox had been in care since mid-October. Staff discovered she was kept illegally as a pet, making her unfit for survival in the wild. Kate Gilmore, who oversees the zoo’s ambassador animal area, said, “She’s been very curious and interested in her surroundings... We’re glad we can provide care and enrichment for her until she’s ready for her next chapter.” Wildlife organizations have worked tirelessly to secure her future. “Her story reminds us that wild animals are not pets,” said Quinn Read, conservation director at the Bird Alliance of Oregon. “It’s been heartening to see so much community support and investment in her future.” The young fox’s journey serves as a stark reminder of the challenges wild animals face in the illegal pet trade. “While it’s wonderful to see her thriving, this fox should never have been a pet,” Gilmore emphasized. With the right care, she now embarks on a new chapter in a safe and specialized environment.