The extraordinary scene was captured by photography student Casey Gutteridge at the Santago Rare Leopard Project in Hertfordshire. The 19-year-old, from Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, who was photographing the leopard for a course project, was astounded By the mouse's Behaviour.
He said: 'I have no idea where the mouse came from - he just appeared in the enclosure after the keeper had dropped in the meat for the leopard.
He didn't take any notice of the leopard, just went straight over to the meat and started feeding himself.'
'But the leopard was pretty surprised - she bent down and sniffed the mouse and flinched a bit like she was scared. In the meantime the mouse just carried on eating like nothing had happened.
But even a gentle shove does not deter the little creature from getting his fill...
'It was amazing, even the keeper who had thrown the meat into the enclosure was shocked - he said he'd never seen anything like it before.'
Project owner Jackie James added: 'It was so funny to see. Sheena batted the mouse a couple of times to try to get it away from her food.' But the determined little thing took no notice and just carried on.'
Sheena was brought in to the Santago Rare Leopard Project from a UK zoo when she was just four months old. She is one of 14 big cats in the private collection started by Jackie 's late husband Peter in 1989.
The African Leopard can be found in the continent's forests, grasslands, savannas, and rainforests.
....so the mouse continued to eat the leopard's lunch and show the leopard who was the boss. Just proves no one can push you around without your permission.
Replies
Maybe it's the lion laying down with the lamb. I've seen a lot of stuff on the Internet where unusual animals choose "pets" for themselves.
Nice story Brother!
How could I eat you when you are so cute ? ;)
Yeah and the last pic is like: "here let me give you a kiss!"
wow these are so nice. thanks krishna. they both look so cute
Thank you krishna, what a wonderful and loving pictures, i have no difficulty to see it ^_^
It is nice and clear now...funny i could view the picks but others could not....ALL THOSE WHO COMMENTED THAT THEY HAD PROBLEM VIEWING ...PLEASE DELETE YOUR COMMENTS..as the problem is solved
please try again Marique
I had no problem viewing them...but i have reloaded them and included a link..the picks were sent to me via e-mail by my good friend....PLEASE TRY NOW ...there could be a technical problem as some photos i posted earlier had the same problem