CARRYING a fully grown goat on his back, this five-year-old boy is a child shepherd in the mountains of northern Ethiopia. Away from modern civilization, children living in the Simien Mountains spend their gruelling days herding, or carrying, animals and walking miles through the rocky terrain. From the age of five these children are responsible for goats and sheep in the highlands and when they do rest, the boys and girls are schooled in classrooms made from mud, rocks and wood. German photographer Mario Gerth trekked 3,000 metres up the Ethiopian mountain range to visit this group of Tigray people and their hardy children and witness their unorthodox lifestyle.
HUDDLED together on a branch, a pair of adorable Javan scops owls soak up the sun .
SAT with his arms folded and a cross look on his face, this Gorilla looks like he's had enough of the Christmas holidays already .
Throwing their arms up in the air, these energetic squirrels play a game of ball with a walnut .
A small Indian monkey is seemingly gob-smacked after reading the latest stock market news .
A BAMBI was dramatically caught in mid-air by a greedy Nile crocodile in a once-in-a-million flying pincer move .
STEPFORD wives from the 1950's and 60's are performing history's most sexist exercise programme .
GETTING behind the camera, this monkey practices his photography skills on his friends .
SPARKLING bright inside their box, it’s hard to believe these diamonds are made from the cremated remains of the deceased .
THIS is the EXPLOSIVE moment when a 50 metre high pylon came crashing down to earth in a rural field .
A DETERMINED great blue heron holds on tightly to its prey as the furry gopher attempts to wriggle free .
