The Very Hungry Mouse..

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.

...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.

--


Thanks & Regards

Shyjith M