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.
PAWS for thought as you feast your eyes on this rare bear bathing session .
A tiny puppy who lost his front legs after being hit by a train has been given and new LEASH of life with a set of wheels .
AT 4,800 metres high and just three metres wide, this is the most dangerous road in the world .
An Indonesian farmer is dragged through muddy water as he clings to the tails of two charging cows .
SAILING peacefully across a river in the early morning light, a fisherman in China keeps a 1000 year old tradition alive .
EAGERLY BITING his nails, this little squirrel is clearly nervous of looming predators as he searches for his meal .
THESE kingfishers prove no rod is needed as they go fishing for their dinner .
A family of foster carers are facing bankruptcy and homelessness after they signed up to a Government scheme to renovate their house to be used for disabled children's short breaks .
With the vivid red smoke billowing into the sky amid the misty sand dunes, these are the blissful views provided at the break of dawn at a volcano .
THIS is the incredible moment a pelican throws a fish into the air and SLAM DUNKS it into its enormous throat sack .
A SPECTACULAR array of stars fills the night sky as they soar over this active volcano .
A BEAUTIFUL sight for the eyes and the imagination, these liquid sculptures take shape in many different colours and formations .