Mystery over Arctic fox found in Oregon starts to unfold

An Arctic fox was discovered roaming the streets of Portland, Oregon, and left the community baffled as to how it could have gotten there.

Originally, an Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife spokeswoman suggested to OPB.org that the white, fox-like creature could be a wild leucistic gray fox, that is, one that has a defect in pigment cells resulting in the animal becoming all white.

But after a good Samaritan collected the animal and took it to the Bird Alliance of Oregon’s Wildlife Care Center, it was identified as an Arctic fox. Which begs the question, why is an Artic fox roaming around in Portland?

“Arctic Foxes don’t naturally occur in Oregon, so this species is considered an exotic animal here,” the Bird Alliance of Oregon wrote on Facebook. “Its native habitat is in the far north in places like Greenland, Svalbard, northern Russia, Canada, and Alaska.

“While we don’t have information yet on where the Arctic fox came from, or how she got to Portland, we believe the animal has only known a life of captivity. The fox doesn’t show a species appropriate fear response to people, and was actually approaching humans when rescued. We believe the fox either accidentally escaped from captivity or was intentionally dumped by the people who illegally held her.”

Bird Alliance of Oregon spokesperson Ali Berman told KOIN that the Arctic fox was a 6.5-pound female that was thin and dehydrated but otherwise in good health.

Publicity about the Arctic fox prompted Portland resident Kendre Berger to come forward Wednesday and tell KOIN 6 News that she took a photo of a couple “walking a strikingly similar creature” on a beach in Lincoln City on Sept. 6.

After examining the photos, Berman told KOIN that is appears to be the same fox, saying, “Yes, that appears to be her.”

From KOIN:

“According to Oregon state law, it is a violation to own an exotic animal unless the person has a valid exotic animal permit issued by the State Department of Agriculture prior to January 1, 2010. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife spokesperson Beth Quillian said that Arctic foxes are considered exotic animals in the state of Oregon.

“`Because Arctic foxes are a canid species that is not native to Oregon, their holding falls under the authority of the Oregon Department of Agriculture,’” Quillian said. “`The people who held this fox did so illegally as it was not registered with ODA.’”

The ODA is currently working with Bird Alliance of Oregon to find a home for the Arctic fox at an accredited zoo.