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 project to create an underwater tribute to the stone Moai statues of Easter Island ended in disaster when 15 replica structures were destroyed after toppling from a boat and into the sea .
A disabled sheep is enjoying a new fleece of life after receiving a specially-designed wheelchair .
THIS RING of fire in the sky is the annular solar eclipse that wowed our cousins down-under .
A little clownfish opens its mouth to reveal a blood sucking intruder living on its tongue .
SKIPPING on the spot, an adorable little owl embraces the 'running man' challenge .
PUCKERING up and enjoying some quality time, these are the most lovable monkeys on the planet .
Lying angelically with a range of expressions etched on their tiny faces, little bundles of joy are innocently captured in their first few days in these adorable photographs .
A diving guide leaves a shark completely docile and balanced in the palm of his hand .
COURAGEOUS climbers descend 400 metres as they manoeuvre their way through thick walls of ice .
FLOATING effortlessly on his back, this little otter laps up a rare glimmer of English spring sunshine .
WITH THEIR adorable big round eyes and fluffy white fur, these baby seals are cute enough to melt any heart .
Sprawled out on top of a log, this sleeping leopard takes a relaxing break from his daily routine .