Arctic fox roams warm east China

A white fox is photographed at a high school in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, on Saturday, April 8, 2017. [Photo: weibo.com]

Authorities are asking residents of Hangzhou, the capital of east China's Zhejiang Province, to keep an eye out for a loose white fox usually found in more frigid temperatures.

The fox was photographed at a high school in Xiaoshan, a neighborhood in Hangzhou, on Saturday around noon. Teachers and students who caught sight of the animal said it looked injured, frightened, and tired.

A white fox is photographed at a high school in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, on Saturday, April 8, 2017. [Photo: weibo.com]

Online, people have reacted with amusement and concern. Some on social media have compared the fox's adventures to a popular TV drama telling the love story of a nine-tail white fox "Qianqian" and Prince Yehua, which happens to sound like the name of one of the school's teachers.

Weibo user @candyluting asked, "Qianqian, are you coming down on earth to find Yehua?"

Weibo user @zuoliusha255 said, "Come Yehua, your wife's here ~"

Hangzhou Zoo's deputy director Jiang Zhi came across photos of the fox that were posted online. The official identified the animal as a rare pure breed. The animals are usually flown in directly from the Arctic to be shown off in exhibitions.

A white fox is photographed at a high school in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, on Saturday, April 8, 2017. [Photo: weibo.com]

The white fox, also known as the Arctic fox, polar fox, or snow fox, is native to the Arctic regions and can survive temperatures 50 degrees below freezing.

In China, almost all the white foxes are commercial hybrids. They are raised to support the sale of fur products. The practice began in the country's northeast regions in the 1980s.

Baby foxes have also become popular as pets. Jiang discouraged people from raising foxes in their homes as the animals can be aggressive. Hangzhou Zoo received several white foxes from their owners last year.

A white fox is photographed at a high school in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, on Saturday, April 8, 2017. [Photo: weibo.com]

With the whereabouts of "Qianqian" still a mystery, people online are keeping their fingers crossed.

"The school just threw her out? What would happen if she met bad guys?" Weibo user @yunyundaxian was worried.

"Take care 'Qianqian', hope you can stay away from the zoo." Animal welfare organization PETA Asia shared on its Weibo account.