For many, the occasional fox in the garden has become a familiar sight.
But one Derbyshire couple were more than a little surprised to see a vulpine visitor prowling on just two legs.
Local wildlife experts said the animal’s ability to survive — and seemingly thrive — in the wild without either of its back limbs was without precedent.
Phil and Jane Carter, from Ilkeston, said the fox spent about 45 minutes in their garden, but ran off “like a rocket” when they initially came outside to feed it. It later returned, at times lifting itself into a position not dissimilar to a handstand while eating off the ground.
Phil Carter said his wife was the first to spot their garden guest. “[She] shouted: ‘Quick, grab your phone, we’ve got a two-legged fox on the lawn.’
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“It [the fox] was here for about 45 minutes. It ran off when we went to feed it, but after it came back to get the food.
“At one point he ran over to the gate, and I mean run, vertically, straight up. You wouldn’t believe it unless you’d seen it. It’s absolutely phenomenal.”
“It blew my mind. It was so strange to just see him go vertical with his tail, just put his head forward and walked off like that. And when he ran off I’ve never seen anything move so fast.”
The couple have tried to entice the fox back by leaving more food in the garden, but have not seen it since the visit on December 17.
Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, one of 46 linked charities across the UK, said a wild animal surviving and living a healthy life with such an impediment is unprecedented. “We’ve never seen anything like this in the wild before but the animal looks relatively healthy and appears to have adapted to life on two legs,” a spokesperson said.
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Last month the naturalist and broadcaster Chris Packham said people should stop feeding foxes in their gardens. He told Radio Times: “I don’t feed them on my patio. I put food out in the woods for them.
“We’ve got to be careful how we interact with wild animals and do it in a way that isn’t about just gratifying ourselves — ie getting a close encounter with them — but also making sure that we’re looking after their health and wellbeing.”
