A coati on the loose in Marlow has befriended a Marlow family’s dogs after it escaped from its home on a country estate, it has emerged.

Anna Shearer spotted the furry fugitive playing with her pets in the back garden of her family’s home in the Gossmore area over the weekend – at first thinking the rainforest native was another dog.

Anna, 23, captured close up images of the exotic creature after it scurried up a tree during efforts to catch it and return it to its home on the McAlpine Estate between Marlow and Henley.

And the fashion buyer revealed to the BFP that the elusive coati must be missing his companions at home, after returning to the garden to frolic with the family springer spaniel and jack russell.

She said: “I heard the dogs barking in the garden when I came outside it looked like there was a third dog.

“When I took a closer look it was not a dog but seemed to be playing with my dogs it then ran up a tree and was able to climb it was then I realised it was definitely not a dog!

“Since then, the animal has come back and continues to play with my dogs and my parents have been feeding it grapes but are unable to catch it.”

Anna described the scenes on Saturday as wildlife hospital Tiggywinkles sent an expert to capture the coati – who at first mistook it for a small bear.

She said: “We watched it in the tree and it came up close to the camera which is where I was able to film the animal on my phone.

"The animal disappeared for a few hours and appeared again on the brick wall next to our pool, I then rang the RSPCA who advised of a wildlife specialist company who would come and capture the animal as its tail looked like it had been bitten off.

“Tiggywinkles were unable to capture it but confirmed they thought it was a baby bear which was shocking to hear.

“We warned the neighbours who had also reported it too the rspca who said not to touch it has it teeth and could bite.

“The company came back at night to use night vision goggles but unable to capture the creature.”

The coati is still on the loose, with Lady McAlpine making a plea yesterday for her “boy” to be safely captured.

Another sighting in a Marlow garden near the river suggests the creature is sticking close to the water's edge.