Luna the Arctic Fox Thrives Two Years After Wandering Portland
A juvenile arctic fox discovered wandering near a Portland bike path in October 2024 is now residing at the Ochsner Park Zoo in Baraboo, Wisconsin, where she shares an enclosure with black bears and a resident male arctic fox, opb.org reported. Initially captured by the Bird Alliance of Oregon suffering from hunger and dehydration, the animal could not be released into the wild because she lacked survival skills and was unafraid of humans. Following coordination between the Bird Alliance of Oregon and the Oregon Department of Agriculture, the zoo agreed to take her in.
Luna shares a habitat with bears and another fox
In Wisconsin, the fox, officially named Luna, shares a habitat with two black bears named Taglu and Aspen, alongside a 7-year-old male arctic fox named Apollo, according to communityplus.app. Katie Gries, manager of the Ochsner Park Zoo, told opb.org that Luna was initially scared of Apollo and Taglu before growing into a playful companion who frequently instigates interactions. To prevent conflict over resources such as food, water, and shelter, keepers separate the animals during high-priority feeding times and scatter-feed everything else. Because foxes naturally cache food to eat later, the bears often use their sense of smell to locate these hidden items, which helps diversify their daily enrichment.
Luna’s daily routine involves playful antics directed at both her canine and ursine enclosure mates. Gries noted that Luna often pulls Apollo’s tail in the morning to initiate play, prompting a vocal response from the 7-year-old fox. With the bears, Luna sometimes nips Taglu to get him to run, and when the 400-pound bears have had enough of the 15-pound fox’s goading, they climb to an elevated perch where she cannot reach them. Because Apollo is neutered, the zoo does not breed the animals, maintaining a focus on rescue and rehabilitation.
Public sponsors cover care costs for Luna
Zoo staff must regularly adapt to Luna’s quick movements and clever habits during keeper training sessions. Gries explained that Luna often attempts to steal items from the keeper area and chew on them, requiring staff to alter how they store equipment. Visitors frequently see Luna sitting at the front of her exhibit, drawing considerable public attention. As a fully sponsored animal, her care costs are covered by members of the public and local businesses, such as the Busy Bee Waxing Studio, with sponsors receiving custom paintings created by Luna and Apollo during their animal encounters.
Exotic Pet Regulations in Oregon
Under Oregon law, arctic foxes are illegal to own as pets. Legal pet ownership in Oregon encompasses an extensive roster of exotic animals spanning dozens of items, featuring manatees, anteaters, sloths, sugar gliders, wallabies, kangaroos, non-native sea lions and seals, hippos, and giraffes. Statewide legislative measures aimed at prohibition—including House Bill 2676, which pushed to outlaw the distribution and sale of novel fur merchandise—have failed to pass.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luna
Where was Luna originally discovered in Portland?
Several people, including an employee of Oregon Public Broadcasting, spotted Luna wandering near the bike path off S. Macadam Avenue and Willamette Park in October 2024. State wildlife officials captured her shortly thereafter.
Why couldn’t Luna be released back into the wild?
Staff at the Bird Alliance of Oregon determined that Luna was likely raised in captivity as a pet. Because she lacked basic survival skills and showed no natural fear of humans, releasing her into the wild was deemed unsafe.
How do keepers manage the safety of a 15-pound fox living with 400-pound bears?
Ochsner Park Zoo manager Katie Gries stated that keepers carefully manage food, water, and shelter by separating the animals during high-priority feedings. The enclosure also features elevated perches where the bears can retreat when they want time away from Luna’s playful nipping.
Who funds the care costs for Luna at the Ochsner Park Zoo?
Luna’s care is fully funded by public and business sponsorships, such as the Busy Bee Waxing Studio. Sponsors who cover her annual costs receive exclusive animal encounters, which include custom paintings created by Luna and Apollo.
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