Rare Silver Fox Finally Rescued with Leg Injury After Evading for 2 Weeks

A rare silver fox with a leg injury that had been eluding wildlife authorities, roaming around UK streets for two weeks, has now been saved.

After being spotted in a Welsh town, a rare "silver fox" was abandoned and eventually captured by specialists. On April 8, 2023, the animal had been spotted ambling through Barry. the fox was a member of a captive-bred line of North American red foxes.

An Evading Silver Fox

There were numerous reports of the animal roaming the town, according to Black Foxes UK. The RSPCA made several unsuccessful attempts at capturing the fox due to its limited ability to help. The fox was captured on April 24 by volunteers at the Sully-based Shua Trust Home and Sanctuary after Black Foxes UK contacted the local government's animal warden.

Despite rumors that he had a leg injury, the fox had already been wandering around Barry for less than two weeks and appeared to be in good health. Rescuers brought him to Vets4Pets in Barry and gave him the name "Shadow."

He comes from a group of "silver foxes" that were imported to the UK in the early 1900s for the fur trade from North America.

Silver Foxes are Red Foxes

The red fox, Vulpes vulpes, and the silver fox are both members of the same species, according to World Atlas. Its name is derived from the coloration of its fur, which ranges from a striking silver to nearly all black. Silver foxes' eyes also develop a golden yellow hue as they age, similar to red fox eyes.

Even though they only make up two to eight percent of red foxes in North America, silver and black foxes are still bred in captivity and hunted for their fur.

Around 2006, when laws governing exotic pets were relaxed, silver foxes rose in popularity as pets in the UK. However, Black Foxes UK does not recommend this because silver foxes are challenging to maintain, and the organization feels "strongly" that the foxes should only be kept under restricted conditions within educational facilities and zoos for the welfare of both themselves and the local fox populations.

The World Atlas also says that the silver fox and the red fox are two of the Order Carnivora's most widely distributed species worldwide. They have a large diaspora that spreads throughout Australia, Asia, Europe, and North America. Foxes have proven to be extremely adaptable; they have learned how to survive in a variety of environments, and in some parts of the world, they are even regarded as pests.

Also Read: Endangered Sierra Nevada Red Fox Seen Near National Parks in California a Century After Last Sighting, Trail Camera Reveals

Shadow and his Leg Injury

According to WalesOnline, Black Foxes UK has located Shadow a safe residence at Animals Interactive in Pontypool. Although it's not entirely clear, the organization's experts think there might be a second fox, who suffered the reported injury.

Hayley de Ronde, the founder of Black Foxes UK, wanted to express her gratitude to the animal warden of the council and the Shua team for giving their best effort after doing the same thing to save a silver fox in 2021, the Mirror reports.