A rare black and silver fox has been caught running through a Welsh town.
The fox was captured in Barry, in the Vale of Glamorgan, after two weeks on the loose.
The fox – nicknamed “Shadow” by locals – is not native to Britain.
It is, however, often kept as an exotic pet.
Its usual habitat is North West America where it counts for ten per cent of the fox population.
Shadow was caught by local rescue charities.
He is being cared for Animals Interactive – a sanctuary.
Silver foxes became popular in Britain 17 years ago when laws keeping exotic pets were relaxed.
The RSPCA warned then that foxes were “difficult” to keep.
A spokesman for the animal welfare charity said:
“Silver foxes are the same species as our red foxes.
“Traditionally, they were bred for their fur but are now sometimes kept as exotic pets.
“Foxes are wild animals with very specific needs that are no different to those of foxes living in the wild, and they require specialist care.”
