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 German photographer travelled around Africa where he met and photographed members of tribes in a series of intimate portraits .
BOXING DAY has come early for this pair of feisty squirrels, as their Christmas party quickly turns sour .
FROM motorcycling to department store shopping these spookily faceless people are part of the Chinese-fad for wearing protective solar-visors in public .
SKIPPING on the spot, an adorable little owl embraces the 'running man' challenge .
THIS is the fascinating abandoned house, complete with mystery portraits and homely items, that has been dubbed - crooked cottage .
LEAPING for joy five-feet above the waves this baby whale cutie is saying HELLO to its family after being lost .
Staring death in the face, a little field mouse bravely confronts a hungry cat .
Sprawled out on top of a log, this sleeping leopard takes a relaxing break from his daily routine .
BASKING in smug satisfaction, a confident squirrel gives a wink to the camera .
This may look like a monster car engine that will leave petrol heads in a spin, but it is in fact a rather snazzy looking COFFEE MACHINE .
Hot on the heels of a little rabbit, this cheetah is on a mission to catch his prey .
A mischievous fox cub demonstrates his playful side by biting his sibling’s tail .