An unlikely transatlantic traveler, a young male red fox that snuck onto a cargo ship leaving Southampton, U.K. for New York, has pulled off a full recovery after weeks of specialized treatment for a rare European parasite at New York’s Bronx Zoo.
The stowaway, now affectionately named Basil and estimated to be two years old, was discovered hidden in the ship’s cargo by U.S. customs officers when the vessel docked at the Port of New York and New Jersey back in February. He was quickly transferred to the Bronx Zoo, operated by the Wildlife Conservation Society, for examination and care.
Upon initial assessment, veterinary teams identified that Basil was carrying French heartworm, a parasitic infection far more common in Europe than in the United States. The parasite attacks blood vessels in the lungs, and if left untreated, can trigger severe respiratory illness that is often fatal. With this rare diagnosis in hand, the zoo launched a targeted, month-long treatment plan that combined three different deworming medications to eliminate the infection.
Over the course of his treatment, the veterinary team observed what they described as a dramatic and encouraging improvement in Basil’s condition. When he first arrived at the zoo in mid-February, the young fox weighed just 11 pounds (5.1 kilograms), undernourished from his weeks-long ocean crossing. As his treatment progressed, he gained weight steadily, growing to nearly 14 pounds (6.2 kilograms). His coat also transformed from dull and patchy to thick, full and glossy, a visible sign of his returning health. After completing the treatment regimen, veterinarians ran repeated diagnostic tests to confirm the parasite had been completely cleared from his system.
“Basil has done exceptionally well since arriving at the Bronx Zoo,” said Craig Piper, the zoo’s interim director. “We are very pleased with his recovery and continued progress since his long journey across the Atlantic.”
This unexpected transatlantic journey has sparked lighthearted amusement on both sides of the ocean. A spokesperson for Associated British Ports Southampton previously joked that the adventurous fox had “booked itself a transatlantic crossing” to reach the United States.
Basil’s story, however, comes on the heels of a far grimmer outcome for another stowaway wild animal. Just weeks before Basil was discovered in New York, a raccoon stowaway found on a cargo ship docked in Southampton was euthanized over public health concerns that it could carry dangerous diseases including rabies.
Today, Basil is in stable good health, but his future long-term home is still being evaluated by zoo teams, who are working to find a suitable permanent arrangement that meets the young fox’s needs.