A rarely-seen domesticated 'silver fox' has been captured by experts after it was spotted roaming the streets of South Wales. The animal was floating around the area of Barry on April 8, 2023.
Black Foxes UK responded to reports of the animal roaming the town, with the RSPCA previously urging caution over the creature. The animal welfare charity condemned the keeping of wild animals as pets. They were 'unsuccessful' in several attempts to capture the rare breed due to being limited it its capacity, according to Wales Online.
The Black Foxes group contacted the local authority's animal warden service and the Shua Trust Home and Sanctuary, as hardy volunteers managed to capture the fox on Monday, April 24. It had been roaming the streets of Barry for over two weeks.
The fox appeared in good health despite reports of an injury and was treated at Vets4Pets in the town and named 'Shadow' by the rescue party. As part of a breed of 'silver foxes' who were brought to the UK as part of the fur trade in the early 1900s, creatures like 'Shadow' are normally bred in captivity.
Silver foxes have become popular pets as laws around the keeping of exotic pets were relaxed but Black Foxes UK and the RSPCA advised against this and they are difficult to keep. They say they should only be kept 'under strict conditions within education facilities and zoos' for welfare purposes.
Black Foxes UK confirmed they found a safe place for the fox at Animals Interactive in Pontypool of the county borough of Torfaen. The experts believe there could be a second fox, the one who was reported to have been injured, but this isn't clear, according to Wales Online.
Anyone who sees this injured fox should contact the RSPCA's emergency line on 03001234999.
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