A fox crossed the Atlantic on a cargo ship. The Bronx Zoo is figuring out what's next.

A red fox named Basil crossed the Atlantic Ocean as a stowaway on a cargo ship and was found at the Port of New York and New Jersey in February. U.S. Customs and Border Protection secured the 2-year-old English fox after arriving from Southampton, England, and the Bronx Zoo took him into care. Basil received treatment for French heartworm, a parasite that infects lung blood vessels in wild canids and can cause severe respiratory disease. He took three medications to clear the parasite and now has a fuller, shinier coat and has gained weight to 13.7 pounds. Basil is described as sociable and comfortable around people, and staff are deciding on his permanent home.

"A red fox that crossed the Atlantic Ocean as a stowaway on a cargo ship and was found at the Port of New York and New Jersey in February is healthy, out of quarantine and has been given a name: Basil."

"French heartworm infects the lungs' blood vessels in wild canids and can cause severe respiratory disease if untreated, according to zoo officials. Basil took three different medications to help clear the parasite, and the zoo said his coat has grown fuller and shinier. He's also gained some weight, and currently clocks in at 13.7 pounds."

"Foxes sometimes get a reputation for being skittish, but Basil is more sociable, said Keith Lovett, vice president and director of animal programs at the Bronx Zoo. "He must have been comfortable around the docks, around people," Lovett said. " He's done really well here, and staff has really bonded well with him during the quarantine period.""

"At the moment,  Basil is hanging out "behind the scenes" at the zoo, the vice president said. Staff are debating the best "forever" home for the fox. "We'll be making that decision over the next few weeks," Lovett said."

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