Sick fox stranded for days on icy NJ bay is ‘on the mend.’ See her snack on some lunch
A sick fox was stranded in the middle of an icy and “extremely dangerous” New Jersey bay for days, officials said.
Photos of the fox all alone in the middle of Barnegat Bay went viral online, and thousands of people started following the creature’s story, News12 reported.
“I’ve never seen such outreach and so many people from other states even who are inquiring about where it was, how it’s doing,” Veterinarian Dr. Mei-An Raicer told the news outlet.
Several groups of people from the tri-state area organized resources to rescue the fox, but it was too dangerous for them to go out into the bay themselves to get her, fire rescue officials said on Facebook.
“Conditions in the middle of the bay are extremely dangerous, the ice from the bay front broke free and is shifting towards the mainland,” Seaside Park Station 45 Volunteer Fire Company said in the Jan. 19 post. “Additionally there are strong currents under the ice and the ice cannot support the weight of a rescuer.”
The fox was hanging out on a jet ski dock about 50 yards into the ice and “took off running every time rescuers got close to it,” officials said.
Eventually the fox made it to shore on its own, News12 reported.
Bayshore Veterinary Hospital confirmed the fox was receiving treatment at the facility in a Jan. 22 post on Facebook.
“YES, the little lady from the ice is with (us), and on the mend,” the veterinary hospital said along with a video of the fox snacking on what looks like pieces of chicken. “As you can see, she’s enjoying some lunch…once her fur restores, she’ll look like the 2 year old beauty she is!!”
Raicer told the news outlet she gave the fox antibiotics, pain management and a first dose of mange medication to treat the animal’s skin condition before sending her to a licensed fox rehabilitator.
Those following the fox’s story commented on the post sharing their relief at the “happy ending.”
“This makes my heart so happy,” someone said.
“Soo cute doesn’t know how to act having someone showing her kindness,” someone else said.
The veterinary hospital weighed in on the outcome in the comments as well.
“Nothing brings a smile to our hearts like a happy ending,” the facility said.
This story was originally published January 23, 2025 at 5:55 PM with the headline "Sick fox stranded for days on icy NJ bay is ‘on the mend.’ See her snack on some lunch."
