Barry could become a hotspot for rare fox breeds in the next few years, according to Black Foxes UK CIC.

The non-profit organisation has been involved in tracking and recovering escaped pet silver foxes around Barry in recent months.

Now, more sightings of black foxes and 'cross foxes' have been reported in the area since the capture of the missing pets.

"It does look like more foxes are going to turn up in the area, but they are looking like they're hybrid of British red foxes and foxes that were bred for fur," explained Haley De Ronde, from Black Foxes UK CIC.

"Melanism is a recessive trait that leads to darker fur. I wouldn't expect a recessive trait to instantly appear, even in foxes.

"It's something I'm seeing across the country, not just in Barry. In London and Halifax for example there's been a high prevalence of melanistic foxes, some of which, like the foxes in Barry, do appear to look like a North American Red Fox.

"I do believe it's something to do with farming from 200 years ago, and it's taken, 100 years or so for the genes to spread around and saturate through the populations to where we're seeing these black foxes more often," she said.

Two recent sightings in Barry have been of these hybrids, which are feral and do not require human assistance unless they are injured or at risk.

"Anybody that saw this fox would think it was a silver fox, but in another light, you can see it turn to the side and it's actually both red and black.

"The shape and the look of it coat makes it look like more like an English fox, so that's a good example of the hybrids in the area.

"I believe those hybrids have had a litter, and there were black cubs in there.

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"Definitely keep your eyes out next year," said Hayley.

"There's going to be wonderful opportunities for wildlife photographers.

"It might put Barry on the map for being a spot for photographing these wonderful creatures."