Arctic fox found in Portland in good health

• On Saturday, the fox — which was hungry and dehydrated — was rescued near Willamette Park by a good Samaritan and brought to the wildlife care center run by the Bird Alliance of Oregon.

Catch up quick: Arctic foxes are native to the far north — places like Alaska, Russia and Greenland. Ashley Lema, manager of the center where the female fox is being treated, said it likely had been kept as a pet, which is illegal in Oregon.

State of play: The Bird Alliance, which also cares for non-avian creatures, said the fox was rescued after it approached people.

• Other than being thin and thirsty, the fox appeared to be in good health and was responding to treatment, the Bird Alliance said.

What they're saying: "We believe the fox either accidentally escaped from captivity or was intentionally dumped by the people who illegally held her," Lema said in a press release.

• "Wild animals aren't pets, and treating them like domestic animals isn't just dangerous for people, but it's often a death sentence for wildlife."