Playing games

I was interested in the news article (Teaching new dogs old tricks, April 2020) about the wolf cubs playing fetch. About 10 years ago I had four fox cubs from the wildlife hospital where I volunteered, which I released into the wild when older. One of them regularly visited our garden after release. I never tamed the cubs, but she was always more friendly than the others – probably because she’d been hand reared. I tried playing ball with her one evening, and was surprised how readily she raced

A fetching fox: these intelligent creatures are quick to learn. after it, but would only pick it up in her mouth and then drop it – making me go and pick up the ball to repeat the exercise.

One day, the ball went into our neighbour’s garden. The fox dived under the fence and shot after it and, as usual, picked it up but then dropped it where she’d found it. I told her to bring it back, as I couldn’t throw it again, otherwise. Of course, she didn’t understand what I was saying but, after a few minutes of staring at me, she seemed to realise what she was meant to do and picked up the ball, came back under the fence and ran after me with it, as I was returning to the house.

From then on, each time we played ball, she’d bring it closer to me. Maybe we underestimate our wild friends when it comes to the degrees of their intelligence. Rosy Jones, Surrey

Leftovers can be a clue to a garden visitor’s identity.

animal that stole it). A fox would be the number one suspect in a case like this – they carry and cache their prizes long distances from source. The holes may be coincidental – it could be the work of a bird. Ravens, crows and the like will carry eggs away as well.