A woman looks at photographs of dogs to choose a pet to rent at Puppy The World on January 24, 2009 in Tokyo, Japan. Rent-a-dog is becoming increasingly popular amongst people who love dogs but are unable to look after a pet full time due to limited living space or long working hours. Customers pay the dog-rental outlet around 2500 yen (32.5 USD) for an hour, and usually take their rented pet for a walk along the nearby beach. (Photo by Junko Kimura/Getty Images)

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and these striking images of 2017 are no exception. The photo highlights include incredible snapshots of the natural world as well as some awesome animal and human encounters. The vibrant gallery also shows thrill-seekers pushing themselves to the limit with breathtaking stunts captured in perfect clarity. The pictures have been taken by a host of photographers from around the world. Here: The two lion cubs singing their hearts out at Antelope park in Zimbabwe. (Photo by David Jenkins/Caters News Agency)

A technician holds a recently 3D printed replica of Darth Vader's melted helmet from “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”, in the Propshop headquarters at Pinewood Studios near London, Britain May 25, 2016. Propshop headquarters at Pinewood Studios is making limited edition replicas of Star Wars props. (Photo by Peter Nicholls/Reuters)

The more representative dogs from every country photographed wearing the uniform of their football national team for Life on White

A chicken has invaded the pitch at Blackburn Rovers during a Championship football match against Burnley.

A Cameroon fan waits for the start of the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group G football match between Switzerland and Cameroon at the Al-Janoub Stadium in Al-Wakrah, south of Doha on November 24, 2022. (Photo by Hannah Mckay/Reuters)

Ethnic San Chi women dressed in traditional costumes play a friendly football match as part of the Soong Co festival celebrations in northern Vietnam's Quang Ninh province on April 24, 2021. (Photo by Nhac Nguyen/AFP Photo)

Mikel Merino of Spain and Maya Yoshida of Japan react on the pitch following a collision during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games men's semi-final football match between Japan and Spain at Saitama Stadium in Saitama on August 3, 2021. (Photo by Kim Hong-Ji/Reuters)