Found in Brazil, Dogxim, the first ever recorded dog fox hybrid, has been reported to have died earlier this year, despite full recovery after suffering injuries in a hit and run accident in 2021.
During the vet examination following the 2021 accident, the hybrid was discovered to have properties and DNA of a pampas fox and domestic dog. According to the researchers, Dogxim was said to express traits such as barking and initial friendliness but have the elongated features of a fox and affinity for hunting.
The animal was treated for its injuries and then kept for further research to be conducted by geneticists. They confirmed the hybrid’s genes, and made an interesting find on Dogxim’s chromosomes in the process. The amazing hybrid possessed 76 chromosomes, a perfect balance between a dog’s 78, and a fox’s 74, causing scientists to rethink what is possible in genetics.
While the personnel studying the creature were uncertain if the hybrid would be capable of breeding, it might be possible to recreate the hybrid and test if breeding works. Amayah Clarke (12) believes “It could probably be replicated again, it can’t be that hard.”
Since 2021, Brazil has kept Dogxim in Sao Braz Conservation Center for follow-up research and studies, but when foreign researchers asked for a photo to check on the animal, the center explained that the hybrid had died months earlier, offering no further details other than that the animal appeared to be in perfect health at the time of its death.
While researchers remain unsure if Dogxim would be capable of breeding, some are on the fence about the ethics behind breeding this phenomenon of a species. Amayah Clarke (12) stated “If it was endangered then there probably should be more bred.” However, others believe it’s unethical to breed a species that didn’t occur naturally.
While Brazil is launching an investigation to supply a reason for the hybrid’s death, details are unknown, and some believe the conservation is hiding information due to their failure to report the death.
