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.
A lazy tree frog, tired of hopping along a branch, chooses the slowest form of transport when it jumps on top of an unsuspecting snail .
SLEEPING within touching distance of wild African animals might not be everyone's idea of a relaxing break .
PAWS for thought as you feast your eyes on this rare bear bathing session .
HOTSPOT MEDIA - FUNKY BUMP: FROM MIRROR bellies to rainbow bumps these pregnancy casts of stone and bronze could be the funkiest way to preserve your bump for posterity .
WITH A wide smile plastered across his face, this little gecko is ready for his close up .
WIDE EYED and staring straight down the lens of the camera, this intrigued seal is ready for his close up .
A little caterpillar fearlessly scampers down a branch and confronts a praying mantis .
A US firefighter has battled osteoarthritis and four hip replacements to break the world paddleboarding record .
With luminous colours and alien- like features, these magical mushrooms look like they belong on another planet .
BEHIND the doors of this building, with its stacks of mattresses and discarded remains of wheelchairs, lies another victim of austerity cuts .
SPLASHING around in a paddling pool, this little elephant soaks up the sunshine .
