These beautiful photos capture the tender moments between two young boys who share a unique bond with animals. Elena Shumilova, from Andreapol, Russia, began taking pictures of her sons Yaroslav and Vanya in early 2012 when she received her first professional camera. The pair were immediately accepted by the animals from a young age and their incredible bond continues to strengthen as they get older. Elena, 32, was able to capture images her boys playing with such animals as rabbits, dogs, cats and ducks as they become totally immersed in their communication with their furry friends. (Photo by Elena Shumilova)

People walk past the 23-foot “Unitled (LAMP/BEAR)” outdoor sculpture of a teddy bear by artist Urs Fischer April 8, 2011 in New York City. The 35,000 pound sculpture of a yellow teddy bear with a working lamp will be on display for five months in front of the Seagram Building in Manhattan. The sculpture is expected to sell for more than $10 million at Christie’s Post-War & Contemporary Evening Sale on May 11. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

This is the hilarious moment a terrified baby hippo ran screaming for its mum when a flock of bird landed on its back in South Luangwa National Park in Zambia. The hippo was seen screaming, running and twisting from side to side in a desperate bid to shake off the red and yellow ox-pecker birds. Ox-peckers and hippos usually have a mutually beneficial relationship where the birds help free hippos of ticks and other parasites by feeding on them. (Photo by Marc Mol/Caters News/SIPA Press)

View of the “Sunset Lake” hot spring with it's unique colors caused by brown, orange and yellow algae-like bacteria called Thermophiles, that thrive in the cooling water turning the vivid aqua-blues to a murkier greenish brown, in the Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming on June 1, 2011. Yellowstone National Park, was established by the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Grant on March 1, 1872. The park is located primarily in the U.S. state of Wyoming, though it also extends into Montana and Idaho and was the first national park in the world. It is known for its wildlife and its many geothermal features, especially the Old Faithful Geyser. (Photo by Mark Ralston/AFP Photo)

Popocatepetl volcano spews incandescent material as seen from Paso de Cortés on May 23, 2023 in Amecameca, Mexico. The second highest volcano in the country increased its activity while Mexican authorities raised the alert to yellow phase 3. Popocatepetl volcano caused the fall of ashes in different municipalities in Puebla, Estado de Mexico and Mexico City. Mexican army has spread forces as a preventive measure while the 3 levels of government are in coordination to observe the activity of the volcano and the situation in the surroundings. (Photo by Cristopher Rogel Blanquet/Getty Images)

Hugo Belleri (L), a three-year-old boy and the youngest Gilles of Binche, takes part in the parade of Young Gilles of Binche during the carnival event in Binche February 17, 2015. The Binche carnival, a UNESCO World Heritage event, is the biggest and the liveliest annual event in Belgium. Up to 1,000 Gilles parade in the city centre of Binche, wearing a red, yellow and black medieval costume hung with bells and decorated with fluffy lace at the neck, wrists and ankles. (Photo by Yves Herman/Reuters)

A woman takes a picture with her mobile phone from Caviahue, Neuquen province, Argentina, some 1500 km southwest of Buenos Aires, of the Copahue volcano spewing ashes on December 22, 2012. The authorities of Chile and Argentina issued yellow alerts due to the eruption of the Copahue volcano, placed in the border between both countries. (Photo by Antonio Huglich/AFP Photo)

Britain's Chris Froome, wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey, is followed by Spain's Alberto Losada, Italy's Vincenzo Nibali and Spain's Alejandro Valverde as they speed downhill during the seventeenth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 161 kilometers (100 miles) with start in Digne-les-Bains and finish in Pra Loup, France, Wednesday, July 22, 2015. (Photo by Christophe Ena/AP Photo)