Wildlife experts in central Illinois say boaters and fishermen who reported spotting a fluffy, white fox weren't seeing things.

McLean County Michael Steffa says he began getting reports about the animal about three weeks ago.

Wildlife biologist Blob Bluett of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources says that the animal appears to be a domesticated strain of red fox that's been bred for its fur.

Experts say it isn't clear how the animal ended up in Comlara Park, which is near Hudson - about 10 miles north of Bloomington.

Bluett says he doesn't know of anyone in the area with a permit to breed furbearing animals.

The fox appears in good condition, and Steffa says there are no plans to try to trap it.