In the 1970′s, actress and model Tippi Hedren (mother of actress Melanie Griffith) created the Shambala Preserve after producing the film Roar. The preserve rescued exotic big cats living in captivity that had been abused or were in need of help, one of which the family created a close bond with. Neil the lion lived with the family in their home, and played an active role in the day to day activities of the preserve.

Bao Bao the panda, one of the National Zoological Park’s cutest inhabitants in Washington, D.C., recently celebrated her first birthday on August 23rd. As part of the celebration, Bao Bao got her very own cake. The large tiered cake showcased a big number 1.

Girls pose during a photocall to promote the Big Royal Wedding Sleepover at “Camp Royale” on Clapham Common on March 8, 2011 in London, England. The “Pop Up” campsite will cater for up to 10,500 people between April 28 and May 1 to coincide with the weekend of the Royal Wedding on April 29. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images). LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 08 2011

British Gas engineer Martin Caulfield, 69, services and cleans a gas lamp in front of Big Ben on October 31, 2011 in London, England. Caulfield has been looking after the traditional lights since 1982. There are still around 1600 left in the capital. (Photo by Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images)

“Artist of the light”. While shooting sunrise in the Vermilion lakes area of Banff national park, Canada, I met a fellow photographer on the scene. Most of the time, we tried not to get in each other's way, however, just by accident, I snapped a picture with him in it working on his tripod settings, and it turned out to be a great photo compared to my sunrise shots. (Photo and caption by Victor Liu/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest)

ATTENTION! All pictures are presented in high resolution. To see Hi-Res images – just TWICE click on any picture. In other words, click small picture – opens the BIG picture. Click BIG picture – opens VERY BIG picture.

Bloodthirsty by Thomas P. Peschak, Germany/South Africa — winner, Behaviour: birds. When rations run short on Wolf Island, in the remote northern Galápagos, the sharp-beaked ground finches become vampires. Their sitting targets are Nazca boobies and other large birds. The finches rely on a scant diet of seeds and insects, which regularly dries up, so they drink blood to survive. ‘I’ve seen more than half a dozen finches drinking from a single Nazca booby,’ says Tom. Rather than leave their nests the boobies tolerate the vampires, and the blood loss doesn’t seem to cause permanent harm. (Photo by Thomas P. Peschak/2018 Wildlife Photographer of the Year)

Amazon Amanda and Sergio on a day out in Central Park on May 25, 2014 in New York City. Meet Amazon Amanda – the 6ft 3 ins, 20 stone model who is paid to dwarf men. Amanda, 38, is a big hit with guys who like being squashed, crushed, wrestled or simply seen out in pubic with super-sized women. After growing too big to be a mainstream model, Amanda discovered a subculture where she could put her natural assets to good use. With 63 inch hips and a 44DD bust Amanda is worshipped by amazon fans all over the world. And shockingly she was once asked to crush a terminally ill client to death – so he could die doing what he loves. Despite the suggestive nature of her work Amanda insists nothing sexual ever takes place between her and her clients. (Photo by Ruaridh Connellan/Barcroft Media)

In this April 28, 2015 file photo, heads of tuna on a cart are carried by a fish dealer after the day's auction at Tsukiji Wholesale Market in Tokyo. In one of the biggest of Japan's many New Year holiday rituals, early on Tuesday, January 5, 2016, Tokyo's Tsukiji market will auction off with much fanfare a huge, glistening tuna, likely destined for one of the big sushi chains. If all goes as planned, it will be the last such auction at 80-year-old Tsukiji. (Photo by Shuji Kajiyama/AP Photo)