Stowaway red fox ‘Basil’ recovers from heartworm, completes quarantine in the U.S.

Stowaway red fox ‘Basil’ (Bronx Zoo)

A red fox that travelled to New York from Southampton, England via a cargo ship is healthy and has completed quarantine, according to the Bronx Zoo.

According to the zoo’s Facebook post, the two-year old, male fox — now named “Basil” — received a comprehensive veterinary evaluation when he arrived at the zoo. He was diagnosed with a parasite commonly known as the “French heartworm.”

“French heartworm is rarely seen in the United States. It is more commonly associated with wild foxes and domestic dogs in Europe and can cause severe respiratory disease if left untreated,” the post said.

“Over the course of approximately one month, Basil received three types of deworming medication as part of a carefully managed treatment plan,” the zoo said. “Throughout his treatment, Basil showed significant improvement. He gained weight, developed a fuller and shinier coat, and demonstrated strong overall health during follow-up examinations.”

The red fox was discovered at the Port of New York and New Jersey in February, after it travelled by way of the cargo ship from England.

United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and government wildfire officials co-ordinated to bring the animal to the Bronx Zoo.

The zoo wrote in a Facebook post in March that the fox appeared to be in “good condition” with initial examinations.

They say when the fox arrived at the zoo, he weighed 5.1 kilograms (11.2 pounds). He now weighs 6.2 kg (13.7 pounds).

“We will assess the most appropriate long-term placement for Basil now that he has completed quarantine,” the post said.