A man encountered a very rare fox in a car park.

A fox

A fox

Alan Miles came across a Sierra Nevada red fox after parking his car in the US state of Oregon. His attention was piqued when he saw another person taking a photograph of the animal.

He told KTVZ-TV: "I saw a lady taking a photo of this animal on the hill, looked up and it was this very unusual animal - it was not a dog - and just thought it was really special."

Wildlife experts analysed Miles' photos and identified the Sierra Nevada red fox. The species is extremely rare, with fewer than 50 believed to be in existence.

Jamie Bowles, a biologist from The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, said: "Very little is known about the Sierra Nevada red fox.

"We haven't taken a look yet at population size estimates or density in our area."