09/18/2026
Sometimes welcoming a new animal resident doesn't go as planned. A red fox recently joined us at the Park after being confiscated by the state when they closed down the last fox fur farm operating in NC. For her first home outside a small kennel, our facilities team did a wonderful job renovating a quiet, shady space just for her, complete with den and tunnel areas, cozy bedding, and plenty of privacy.
From the moment she arrived, our keepers were enthralled by her beautiful coat, black with sweeps of white, like constellations taking over a night sky. They named her Orion.
As Orion was settling in—understandably shy, but starting to get used to nutritious food, species-appropriate enrichment, and the choice to explore her habitat—our observant keepers noticed that something didn't seem quite right. A visit to our local veterinary partner indicated that she likely had cancer, which was confirmed by the veterinary team at NC State. They believed it would be treatable with chemo. But on September 3, Orion died in her sleep. We estimate she was around 8 years old.
In our brief time with her, we could tell she was very curious. She would scurry off if anyone got too close, but keepers, other staff, and volunteers noticed that if they kept their movements slow and their voice soft as they visited or worked near her, she would relax and watch them with interest. And she was beginning to make her likes and dislikes clear: We had not yet convinced her to eat her vegetables, but she very much enjoyed the mice in her diet—a nutritious whole-prey treat for her species.
Orion may not have been with us for long, but she was loved, and we’re glad she helped the visitors who glimpsed her learn more about her species. We’ll miss her pink nose, her skunky smell (i.e., a fox’s natural musk), and her gentle curiosity.
Rest easy, sweet girl.
