Abel Coelho, who took the dramatic photographs in Botswana, said: “During the whole episode and for a while afterwards there was silence, we were in disbelief.”
Fishing can be a dirty job, just ask this leopard.
The big cat was caught on camera jumping into a muddy waterhole to eat its lunch before emerging, looking almost as black as a panther, thanks to a covering of mud.
In these dramatic images, the spotted predator stands over the waterhole in the Savuti Channel in landlocked Botswana in southern Africa, ready to pounce.
When a fish appears beneath the murky surface, the animal springs into action.
Prepared: The leopard looks pretty clean as it stands over the water hole pawing at the surface (Image: Greatstock/Barcroft Media)
Big Dipper: The predator is ready for an attack (Image: Greatstock/Barcroft Media)
Showing quick reflexes, the leopard dives.
Moments later, he emerges spotless and covered in mud, clutching his lunch, a rather large fish, in his jaws.
Savuti fishing leopards are known for their unique fish-catching abilities, but have rarely been photographed.
I went fishing: Leopard dives into muddy puddle after spotting fish (Image: Greatstock/Barcroft Media)
Something suspicious: the leopard emerges with its catch in its mouth (Image: Greatstock / Barcroft Media)
Electrical engineer Abel Coelho, 57, took the photographs during a photography safari with Earth Ark Safaris.
Abel said: “Our guide received a tip that there was a leopard in the hippo pool area, so we went to investigate.
“We watched catfish in the pool, but the idea of leopard fishing seemed very remote at the time.
No tokens? The big cat emerges from the waterhole, presumably to have lunch (Image: Greatstock/Barcroft Media)
Fine feline: The images were taken in the Savuti Channel, Botswana (Image: Greatstock/Barcroft Media)
“The leopard made its way into the canal and towards the pool, in typical cat fashion, half stealthy, half indifferent, unhurried, occasionally staring at the pool.
“Cautiously, the leopard entered the pool, appearing to not really enjoy the muddy conditions, headed towards the centre, paused for a brief moment and, in an instant, darted into the quagmire.
“During the entire episode and a little later there was silence, we were in disbelief, amazed and felt a sense of euphoria.”
