|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
It is with great sadness that Zoo Miami announces the death of “Swift,” a nearly 8-year-old red fox that has been a cherished animal ambassador at Zoo Miami since her arrival back on April of 2017.
After Animal Science staff observed unusual lethargy and a loss of appetite, Swift was brought to the Animal Hospital for a more extensive examination. As part of that examination, an ultrasound exam was performed that indicated there may be a critical issue with the animal’s liver. Emergency surgery was performed to treat what was determined to be a liver torsion where a portion of the liver had twisted around critical blood vessels that led to internal bleeding. Following corrective action to eliminate the torsion and stop the bleeding, and while still under anesthesia, Swift went into cardiac arrest. Despite dedicated efforts, the Animal Health Team was unable to resuscitate her.
Swift was transferred to Zoo Miami by the Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission after being rescued by the South Florida Wildlife Center in Ft. Lauderdale. She had been deemed non-releasable and Zoo Miami agreed to provide her with a forever home. Because of her calm and warm personality, Swift quickly became a favorite animal ambassador at the zoo and often participated in educational presentations designed to help connect people with nature, especially native wildlife. The team that was responsible for her daily care is heartbroken.
Red foxes are relatively common and can be found around the world in a variety of habitats that include forests, deserts, grasslands and mountains. They are incredibly adaptable to human developments and are often seen in suburban and rural neighborhoods where they feed on a variety of small mammals, birds, eggs, amphibians and even some fruits and vegetables. They are well known for raiding trash cans and consuming food left outdoors for domestic pets. Often confused with grey foxes, the most distinguishing features of the red fox are its larger size, longer snout, and white tip at the end of the tail.
