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.

The mouse continued to eat the leopard's lunch and show the leopard who was boss.

And you leopard hunters call them "dangerous game"!!! Why, that leopard is nothing but a "pussy".

Must be the mouse from "The Green Mile".

Maybe it pulled a splinter out of it paw!

The leopard is obviously an anti--doesn't know where meat comes from

One of the first lessons my PH (whom I came to greatly respect over the next five weeks)taught me was that leopards had "360 binaural hearing". He told me that he had seen leopards crouch -and jump at at a mouse in the bush -and swallow as something to be eaten. ( was in Africa for buff and he was instructing me about the leopard's cough at night - and how dangerous he was.I was impressed {and stil am} Beautiful animal and I wish I had come back to try for one.

Cool pics.Is it a leopard or a Jaguar?It looks like the latter to me.

Best-
Locksley,R