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A fox crossed the Atlantic on a cargo ship. The Bronx Zoo is figuring out what's next.
By
Ryan Kost
Published May 22, 2026
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Courtesy of WCS Bronx Zoo
By
Ryan Kost
Published May 22, 2026
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A red fox that crossed the Atlantic Ocean as a stowaway on a cargo ship and was found at the Port of New York and New Jersey in February is healthy, out of quarantine and has been given a name: Basil.
The Bronx Zoo took the 2-year-old English fox into its care earlier this year after he was secured by U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the end of his journey from Southampton, England. The zoo announced Friday that Basil, which rhymes with “dazzle,” was treated for a dangerous parasite known as “French heartworm” and has a clean bill of health.
French heartworm infects the lungs’ blood vessels in wild canids and can cause severe respiratory disease if untreated, according to zoo officials. Basil took three different medications to help clear the parasite, and the zoo said his coat has grown fuller and shinier. He’s also gained some weight, and currently clocks in at 13.7 pounds.
Foxes sometimes get a reputation for being skittish, but Basil is more sociable, said Keith Lovett, vice president and director of animal programs at the Bronx Zoo.
Basil the fox is doing much better after months of treatment.
Courtesy of WCS Bronx Zoo
“He must have been comfortable around the docks, around people,” Lovett said. “ He's done really well here, and staff has really bonded well with him during the quarantine period.”
At the moment, Basil is hanging out “behind the scenes” at the zoo, the vice president said. Staff are debating the best “forever” home for the fox.
“We'll be making that decision over the next few weeks,” Lovett said.
Zoo officials said this was an unusual case of a stowaway animal, though they regularly work with government agencies and others to help rescue illegally trafficked wildlife.
“To have a fox stowaway on a ship, it's pretty rare,” Lovett said. “We deal with the illegal side of things, where people are illegally bringing animals into the country, and that's what we predominantly deal with. … But in this case, the fox took it upon himself to get on the ship.”
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Ryan Kost
Ryan Kost is a reporter on the day-of news desk, where he covers breaking news and writes enterprise stories about jails, courts, prosecutors and government accountability. His work focuses on the public institutions that shape life in New York. Before joining the newsroom, he lead a multi-part investigation with Columbia Journalism Investigations and New York Focus into how New York prosecutors handle wrongful conviction claims. He's also been a staff writer at The San Francisco Chronicle, The Associated Press and The Oregonian. Got a tip? Signal: ryankost.20
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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