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.
An adorable little squirrel wakes from a nap and pops out his tongue for the camera .
With an abandoned tricycle sitting in an empty corridor, this derelict but once grand mansion could be the setting for The Shining .
TUGGING at his exhausted mum's ears, a beautiful baby orangutan refuses to settle for a nap as he begins a game of peek-a-boo .
STARING open-mouthed into the camera, this shocked fish looks out of place in the middle of its angry friends .
A kingfisher’s bright blue and orange feathers glisten in the sunlight as the bird dives into a lake .
UNDERWATER and above-water seaside shots show the best of British beach-life .
An adorable black bear cub struggles to find the perfect spot for an afternoon nap as he wriggles around on the branch of a maple tree .
THIS is the incredible moment a pelican throws a fish into the air and SLAM DUNKS it into its enormous throat sack .
SHOWING off her best assets for the camera, this cheeky orangutan is in the mood for love, puckering up her lips to blow the biggest kiss she can .
SHOVELLING food into his mouth, this hungry gorilla enjoys a peaceful moment at dinner time .
SOME OF the sea’s most terrifying creatures show their softer side as they join a group of diners for lunch .
GLIDING through the water, these delightful frogs show off their vibrant colours as they practice their FROG crawl .