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.
ALL IS not as it seems in these deceptive cityscapes .
VENTURING into the ocean with self-made spears and nets, the fishermen of Zanzibar put their lives on the line when they catch food for their families .
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 .
SURROUNDED by a snowstorm, these young polar bears battle the elements - as well as each other .
COVERING themselves in ash and face paint, these are the holy men who live their lives away from everyday society .
THIS incredible shimmer of silver fish mirrors the image of that of an underwater tornado .
SITTING on a burning sofa unable to move, one man turns his terrifying dreams into reality .
GETTING behind the camera, this monkey practices his photography skills on his friends .
GIANT garden sculptures don't beat about the bush .
A toddler has shrugged off death an incredible 10 times thanks to his parents who revive him with the kiss of life every two weeks .
An Australian beach is illuminated by an enticing neon blue glow as a rare phenomenon lights up the water .
WITH HIS PAW covering his mouth, this cheeky cub looks amused by something .