Extraordinary tales of everyday heroism have been illustrated beautifully by renowned US photographer Steve McCurry in the new 2015 Lavazza Calendar. The calendar which has been created in collaboration with the Slow Food movement, features twelve breathtaking pictures, capturing the spirit, strength and humanity of the Earth Defenders – women and men who protect their land and projects in Africa with passion and bravery. The proceeds from sales of the calendar and all donations will be contributed entirely to create 10,000 food gardens in African schools and villages by the end of 2016. (Photo by Steve McCurry/2015 Lavazza Calendar)

A one and a half months old baby elephant stands close to its mother at Chitwan National Park in Chitwan, south of Kathmandu December 30, 2014. (Photo by Navesh Chitrakar/Reuters)

A baby hippo swims under the water in its enclosure at Prague Zoo, Czech Republic, February 24, 2016. The baby was born on January 28, and is yet to be named. (Photo by David W. Cerny/Reuters)

Gorillas at Royal Burgers’ Zoo, Arnhem, Netherlands, on November 28, 2013. (Photo by Vidi Photo/Startraks Photo New York)

Edinburgh Zoo is proud to introduce this baby three-banded armadillo Rica who was born to mum Rio and dad Rodar in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK on Sunday 24 August 2014. A tiny 81g at birth and around the same size as a golf ball, Rica is a female three banded armadillo who has grown rapidly in her first month, already quadrupling in weight. (Photo by SWNS/ABACAPress)

Radin the Sunda pangolin hitches a ride on Nita as their keeper looks on. The elusive and nocturnal Sunda pangolin produces only one or two offspring a year and Radin is the third pangolin baby born in Night Safari since 2011. (Photo by Wildlife Reserves Singapore)