Hungry leopard leaps into waterhole to catch a fish and emerges both spotless AND covered in mud

Abel Coelho, who took the dramatic pictures in Botswana, said: “During the whole episode and for a little while after there was silence - we were in disbelief"

 

Muddy hell: The leopard is covered in mud, clutching a fish in its jaws

Fishing can be dirty work - just ask this leopard.
The big cat was caught on camera leaping into a muddy waterhole to catch his lunch before emerging, looking almost as black as a panther - thanks to a covering of mud.
In these dramatic pictures, the spotted predator stands over the waterhole in the Savuti Channel, in landlocked Botswana, southern Africa, poised to pounce.
When a fish appears beneath the murky surface, the animal leaps into action.

 

Poised: The leopard looks pretty clean as it stands over the waterhole pawing at the surface

 

Big dipper: The predator is poised for an attack

Showing swift reflexes, the leopard dives in.
Moments later, it emerges spotless and covered in mud, clutching its lunch - a rather large fish - in its jaws.
The fishing leopards of Savuti are known for their unique skills in catching fish, but have rarely been photographed.

 

Gone fishing: The leopard plunges into the muddy waterhole after spotting a fish

Greatstock / Barcroft Media

Something fishy: The leopard emerges with its catch in its mouth

Electrical engineer Abel Coelho, 57, took the pictures while on a photographic safari with Earth Ark Safaris.
Abel 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.

 

No chips? The big cat strides out of the waterhole, presumably off to eat its lunch

 

Feline fine: The pictures were taken in the Savuti Channel, Botswana

“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, made its way to the centre, 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.”