A cat, named “Sulo”, is seen in Istanbul's Sultanahmet Square wearing sunglasses, in Turkiye, on December 30, 2022. (Photo by Murat Sengul/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

A mural depicting a resting cat by Russian street artist Vladi is photographed by a man outside a hotel in Hong Kong on November 27, 2023. (Photo by Peter Parks/AFP Photo)

A woman holds her cat in front of a destroyed building at the site of an Israeli airstrike in Dahiyeh, Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday, October 2, 2024. (Photo by Hassan Ammar/AP Photo)

Grumpy Cat in Las Vegas, America on August 5, 2014. Grumpy Cat aka Tardar Sauce has died on May 14, 2019 at home in Arizona at the age of seven due to complications from a urinary tract infection. Her family's statement said: “Besides being our baby and a cherished member of the family, Grumpy Cat has helped millions of people smile all around the world – even when times were tough. Her spirit will continue to live on through her fans everywhere. Grumpy's Family – Tabatha, Bryan and Chyrstal”. (Photo by Mediapunch/Shutterstock)

The National Geographic Photo Ark is a travelling exhibition of photographer Joel Sartore’s quest to create a photo archive of biodiversity around the world. So far, Sartore has captured studio portraits of more than 6,000 species – a number that he hopes to double. On 1 July, the ark will open at Melbourne zoo – the first time it has been exhibited in the southern hemisphere. More than 50 portraits will be on display, including many of Australian endangered animals being protected by programs at the zoo itself. These captions have been edited from text supplied by Melbourne zoo. Here: Barking owl. (Photo by Joel Sartore/National Geographic Photo Ark/The Guardian)

A Ukrainian serviceman of the 47th “Magura” Separate Mechanized Brigade plays with a cat, which his unit evacuated from a frontline, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, at undisclosed location in Donetsk region, Ukraine on February 8, 2024. (Photo by Alina Smutko/Reuters)

A stray cat walks in front of a ballot box at a polling station for Turkish citizens living abroad, as part of the second round of the Turkish presidential election, at the Turkish Embassy in Cairo, Egypt on May 22, 2023. (Photo by Amr Abdallah Dalsh/Reuters)

American rapper Doja Cat performs on stage during the Balmain Festival as part of Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2022 at La Seine Musicale on September 29, 2021 in Boulogne-Billancourt, France. (Photo by Splash News and Pictures)