‘Aggressive’ foxes break into Arizona museum and one attacks staffer, officials say
UPDATE: Both foxes tested positive for rabies, the Arizona Game and Fish Department in Tucson said May 6. The museum reopened a day after the foxes were captured.
The original story is below.
A pair of “aggressive” — and possibly rabid — foxes broke into a southern Arizona museum, and one of the animals attacked a staff member, wildlife officials said.
The Sonora Desert Museum staff member was not injured in the attack, the Arizona Game and Fish Department in Tucson said on Facebook Wednesday, May 1.
The museum closed for the rest of the day and wildlife officials captured the foxes, euthanized them and submitted them for rabies testing, the department said.
The museum is adjacent to Saguaro National Park in western Tucson, where a rabid gray fox attacked three hikers within three days in early April, McClatchy News previously reported.
Reports emerged earlier this year of animals — including foxes, raccoons and a bobcat — acting oddly in the park, McClatchy News reported.
Wildlife officials urged people to report any ill or aggressive wildlife to 623-236-7201.
This story was originally published May 2, 2024 at 11:11 AM.
