Animal rescue volunteers have told how a cat riddled with cancer was forced to ripped off its own ears after it was abandoned by its owners. Poor Victoria was so ravaged by cancer that she had torn off her own ears by the time she was discovered wandering the streets by a passer-by distraught at her obvious plight. At first it was thought she had been mauled by a dog but on closer inspection by a vet it became clear the pain of the tumours had been so severe the little black and white cat had made a desperate bid to escape the agony. Victoria was found walking the streets of Newent, Gloucs., and handed over to charity workers at the New Start Cat Rescue Centre who took her in and paid for an operation on her ears. It is costing them thousands of pounds to rehabilitate her but volunteers there say the affectionate feline deserves a new chance at life..
Playing, splashing and generally messing around, these polar bears show they certainly have a soft spot for the water, and not just each other .
DIPPING his head into the vase of water, this little squirrel takes a refreshing break from an afternoon of eating .
A SPECTACULAR array of stars fills the night sky as they soar over this active volcano .
A diver explores the crystal clear waters of the Silfra canyon in southern Iceland, which is the only place on Earth where you can dive or snorkel between two continental plates .
ALL IS not as it seems in these deceptive cityscapes .
A Little owl looks down the lens of a camera and gives the photographer a cheeky wink .
Full of tired and busy commuters, these underground stations are rarely admired for their architecture or beauty .
AN EXERCISING turtle and an ice-skating chick are hardly everyday exploits in the animal community .
An Australian beach is illuminated by an enticing neon blue glow as a rare phenomenon lights up the water .
BEAUTIFULLY lit by the dim glow of lanterns, a cave in Iceland is transformed into the perfect wedding venue .
A group of otters put on a show of aqua aerobics, as they raise their flippers perfectly in sync .
Fishermen in Myanmar have perfected an unusual fishing technique by carefully balancing on one leg .