A sly fox slipped on to a cargo ship and travelled from Southampton to New York, according to officials at Bronx Zoo.

The zoo, which is looking after the animal, said it appears healthy after early examinations.

It is unclear how the male red fox boarded the ship, which had been transporting cars, to make the 3,400 mile journey to the east coast of the US.

It left Southampton, Hampshire, on 4 February, and the vessel docked at the Port of New York and New Jersey on 18 February.

Diane J Sabatino, executive assistant commissioner at the US Customs and Border Protection Department, wrote on X that port officers had found the “sly stowaway”, and agriculture specialists had coordinated with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service and New Jersey Fish and Wildlife to find the fox a new home at Bronx Zoo.

Officials brought the fox to the zoo the next day. He is estimated to be two years old and weighs 5kg (11lbs).

Keith Lovett, the zoo’s director of animal programmes, said: “He seems to be settling in well. It’s gone through a lot.”

A long-term home for the mammal will be found after he undergoes additional health checks.

The omnivore has a diet of produce, proteins and some biscuit-like items at the zoo’s veterinary centre.

The species, formally named Vulpes vulpes, is widespread in Europe, Asia, North America and parts of Africa.