PHOTOS: Mysterious baby fox eludes animal control on West Side for weeks
CHICAGO (WLS) -- For weeks, a white-furred animal has been spotted in the Austin neighborhood on Chicago's West Side, relaxing on residential rooftops and roaming backyards.
Neighbors thought it was a coyote or stray dog, but alas, it is a baby leucistic fox which has eluded its owner and the Chicago Animal Care & Control (CACC) for weeks.
The mystery was sparked by the leucistic fox's unique coloring.
Even Nicky Strahl, of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, had never seen one before the Chicago fox.
"It's not very common at all," she said.
Stahl added: "It had a genetic abnormality that creates different colorations, different patterns than what you'd normally see."
The genetic abnormality puts the fox at a disadvantage. Its white features make it much more difficult for it to camouflage itself when seeking prey.
The five-month-old fox is not aggressive and its owner has a state permit that allows him to keep the fox, said Ivan J. Capifali, CCAA deputy director. He wasn't sure of the fox's gender.
The fox was spotted in the 5400-block of West Jackson Street in late October. This weekend, the fox was seen sitting on burned-out house in the 5500-block of West Rice Street.
RAW VIDEO: FOX ON WEST SIDE
The owner lives nearby and has been on the scene helping animal control.
Apparently, catching a fox is difficult. Animal control is trying to be creative. They are also working with neighbors and asking them not to try and catch the fox or hurt it.
Foxes, just like coyotes, can also thrive in urban areas where there are plenty of prey. The fox was seen Sunday apparently carrying a rodent in its mouth.
In fact, it's helpful to humans to have foxes around.
"They're keeping down on the vermin that we don't like, including rats and voles and mice," said Donna Alexander, of Cook County Animal Control.
