WITH a paw in the air and his tongue hanging from his mouth, it is clear to see that this little groundhog is struggling to wake up and leave behind the comfort of his burrow. The groundhog takes a moment to stretch before quickly becoming aware that he's not alone. The adorable scene was captured in the Tonale Pass, a high mountain pass in Trentino Alto Adige, Italy, by freelance photographer Maurizio Lancini. The 39-year-old, of Rodengo Saiano, Brescia, Italy, says:"I spotted the entrance to the burrow so decided to hide nearby and wait for the groundhog to appear.
JUDGE BLASTED FOR LETTING PAEDO WALK FREE A PERVERT who sexually assaulted two young girls on an allotment, telling them he was brushing spiders off them, has walked free from court – because jailing him was ‘unfair’ on his family .
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 .
An adorable orangutan named Pongo celebrates his first birthday at Zoo Atlanta, Georgia, America .
THEIR gnarling teeth at the ready, these two baboons fight it out for the last piece of fruit .
FISTS fly as two gorillas take each other on in a dramatic battle .
AN ITALIAN mechanic has created the world’s most ferocious mini-car .
COURAGEOUS climbers descend 400 metres as they manoeuvre their way through thick walls of ice .
Two dogs who couldn't keep their paws off each other have been united in matrimonial bliss after their owners shelled out $10,000 on a lavish canine wedding ceremony .
A disabled sheep is enjoying a new fleece of life after receiving a specially-designed wheelchair .
ONCE A doctor’s surgery, family home and office, an array of medical equipment is scattered throughout this abandoned home .
A mum from Gloucestershire has accepted her four-year-old twin son’s decision to live full time as a girl - and is now letting him wear a skirt to school .
A small Indian monkey is seemingly gob-smacked after reading the latest stock market news .