Dinnertime can be a dirty business in the wilds of Africa when you’re a famished leopard.
In this incredible set of images, one of the majestic predators is more than happy to end up caked in mud for the sake of a meal… which in this case takes the form of a fish.
The big cat was spotted leaping into a muddy waterhole in the Savuti Channel in Botswana to catch a catfish.
It stood poised waiting for its meal to appear before jumping in with lightning reflexes.
Coated in a layer of thick, dark mud, the leopard emerged from the water clutching the creature in its jaws.
The fishing leopards of Savuti are known for their unique skills in catching fish – but have rarely been photographed.
Known for its unique skills in catching fish, the leopard earlier stood poised waiting for its meal to appear…
Soon, it spots something – and has two options to grab its dinner: either use its teeth or claws. This sighting was captured by 57-year-old Abel Coelho, an electrical engineer, while he was on a photographic safari with Earth Ark Safaris in the region
In it goes! The fishing leopards of Savuti are known for their unique skills in catching fish – but have rarely been photographed
Here’s mud in your eye: Stealth pays off as the leopard grabs its takeaway. Mr Coelho said: ‘It paused for a brief moment and, in a flash, lunged into the quagmire’
This sighting was captured by 57-year-old Abel Coelho, an electrical engineer, while he was on a photographic safari with Earth Ark Safaris in the region.
Mr Coelho said: ‘Our guide got a tip-off there was a leopard in the hippo pool area, so off we went to investigate.
‘We did observe catfish in the pool, but the idea of the leopard fishing seemed very remote at that point in time.
Coated in a layer of thick, dark mud, the leopard emerged from the water clutching the fish in its jaws. ‘During the whole episode and for a little while after, there was silence – we were in disbelief, awe, and felt a sense of exhilaration,’ said Mr Coelho
‘The leopard made its way into the channel and towards the pool, in typical cat fashion, half stealth, half nonchalant, unrushed. Every now and then, it would gaze intently into the pool.
‘Cautiously, the leopard entered the pool, appearing to not really enjoy the muddy conditions, then made its way to the centre. It paused for a brief moment and, in a flash, lunged into the quagmire.
‘During the whole episode and for a little while after, there was silence – we were in disbelief, awe, and felt a sense of exhilaration.’
In addition to fish, the leopard’s diet consists mainly of birds, reptiles and mammals such as warthogs, antelopes, monkeys and hares.
