Monday 15 February 2010

Hungry Little Mouse

This arrived in my inbox the other day. Just had to share it with you...

This gives a new meaning to cat and mouse games…



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 onths 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.


On a graver note, I've been getting so many spam comments I've had to turn on comment moderation.  Please don't be put off by this, I welcome all genuine comments, even if you don't have any accepted account and have to comment as "Anonymous".  If you look at the comments on my last post you'll see how many I've deleted - though I've left a couple of the more "interesting" ones for your amusement:  America causing the earthquake in Haiti?  Ha!  Of course!  Before this I only ever had a couple of spam comments over a long time-span.  Why the sudden splurge?  I know I'm not the only "victim".  What these spammers hope to gain is beyond my ken...


Have a peaceful week my friends.

 
UPDATE

I've had a comment from the photographer saying that his photos are copyright, so I may have to take them down.  I've emailed him.  I received them by email so clearly they are already "out in the wild". 





:) xxx

6 comments:

Gemini and Ichiro said...

Perhaps the leopard was so shocked she didn't eat the mouse?!

Casey Gutteridge said...

Dear Sirs,

I am speaking on behalf of Casey Gutteridge - where have you had permisson, If any to use this photo from?

This is copyrighted material, and must be paid for where ever published

if you could get back to me asap,

Regards,

CPG Photography

Casey@cpgphotos.com

Ivan from WMD said...

Sorry about your spam problems. Some people's kids!

Loved the photos. The second one reminds me of me sniffing Caroline and she gets that tilty look on her face--like, get your nose out of my ear!

The Oceanside Animals said...

That mouse must be either very hungry or have very poor eyesight.

Luzinha said...

this pic is simply amazing!

how corageous is this mouse! oh, MY!

nature is beautiful!

all the best for you all, dear!

The Activist said...

This is awesome! Well, the Leopard msut have thought the mousse too small for food. So, do you trully need permission to use the photos?