Taiga Finds Her Fur-ever Home

There’s a furry new face on the Minnesota Trail! Taiga, a 1-and-a-half-year-old red fox, made her Zoo debut earlier this year and has been spending her days exploring her new home, soaking in the sun, and being undeniably cute. But Taiga’s start to life was anything but smooth.

In January 2025, Taiga arrived at the Minnesota Zoo from an organization called SaveAFox, which rescues and rehabilitates foxes saved from fur farms and private breeding operations. Upon her arrival, Taiga was recovering from a broken leg. Very little was known about the first year and a half of her life, but what was certain was that she was in need of expert care and a safe place to call home. Thanks to the support of generous Foundation donors like you, the Zoo was prepared to provide exactly that.

Taiga made her debut on the Minnesota Trail in February and immediately began capturing the hearts of guests and Zoo staff alike. “Taiga is a sweet, gentle, and active fox who has adjusted very well to being on habitat and has quickly settled into a good routine under our care,” says Zookeeper Nolan Schlichter. Today, her leg has fully healed, and she is enjoying the various enrichment activities provided to her, including a wide variety of foods that stimulate natural foraging behavior and encourage her to sniff, dig, and explore as she eats.

If you’ve visited Taiga, you’ve probably noticed she isn’t alone in her new home! She shares her habitat with Anubis, an 11-year-old male red fox, easily identified by his much darker coat. The two are still adjusting to life as roommates, and though they’re comfortably sharing space, it may be a little while before they’re best friends. “It’s safe to say that Taiga likes Anubis more than he likes her,” Nolan jokes.

Rescue stories like Taiga’s are never planned. Funds provided by the Minnesota Zoo Foundation allow the Zoo the flexibility to respond to rescue situations as they arise. Thanks to donors like you, injured and rescued wildlife like Taiga have a second chance to live long, healthy lives at the Zoo.