A dramatic rise in owning exotic pets in China is fuelling global demand for threatened species. The growing trade in alligators, snakes, monkeys, crocodiles and spiders is directly linked to species loss in some of the world’s most threatened ecosystems. Here: A fennec fox (Vulpes zerda) is groomed in a pet store in central Beijing. Native to the Sahara in North Africa, the species became a popular pet after being depicted as a character in Disney’s 2016 animated movie Zootopia. Individuals can cost between $2,000–$3,000. (Photo by Sean Gallagher/The Guardian)

Residents gather to watch fireworks rehearsals ahead of the upcoming 100th anniversary of the founding of China's ruling Communist Party in Beijing on Tuesday, June 22, 2021. Chinese authorities have closed Beijing's central Tiananmen Square to the public, eight days ahead of a major celebration being planned to mark the 100th anniversary of the founding of the ruling Communist Party. (Photo by Ng Han Guan/AP Photo)

Lebanese women smoke nargileh (water pipe) and watch a streaming broadcast of the FIFA World Cup 2022 group G soccer match between Brazil and Switzerland, at a café-restaurant in the area of Sabtiyeh, north of Beirut, on November 28, 2022. Lebanon being hit hard by the economic crisis, the country did not obtain the rights to broadcast the 2022 World Cup this year, depriving Lebanese fans of the World Cup. (Photo by Joseph Eid/AFP Photo)

“Smudge” an orphaned echidna puggle is held by Veterinary nurse Sarah Male ahead of its feeding on November 07, 2022 in Sydney, Australia. Echidnas, sometimes known as spiny anteaters, are native to Australia. A baby echidna was found orphaned by the side of the road and is being cared for at Sydney's Taronga Zoo hospital. The care is intensive with several feedings per day, and the echidna is housed in temperature-controlled environment to aid its recovery and growth. (Photo by Jenny Evans/Getty Images)

A firefighter is seen next to flames while working to extinguish a wildfire burning in Gondomar, northern Portugal on July 29, 2025. Almost 2,000 firefighters battled on July 29, 2025 to contain forest blazes across Portugal that have led to almost the whole country being put on high alert for fires. Ten major fires blazed with two in the north and three in the centre of the country causing most concern. (Photo by Carlos Costa/AFP Photo)

Palestinian plain-clothed security officers detain a man during a demonstration in the city of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, on June 26, 2021, to protest the death of human rights activist Nizar Banat while in the custody of Palestinian Authority (PA) security forces. Thousands of mourners attended on June 25 the funeral of the 43-year-old Banat, a day after he died in custody following his violent arrest by Palestinian security forces, which sparked outrage in the occupied West Bank. He was known for social media videos denouncing alleged corruption within the PA. (Photo by Ahmad Gharabli/AFP Photo)

Patients from Rady Children's Hospital hug a bottlenose dolphin after being invited to swim and interact with dolphins at Sea World in San Diego, California August 27, 2015. Sea World has hosted Dolphin Interaction Program for seven years. It was started by dolphin trainer Joy Soto who battled and overcame non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. (Photo by Mike Blake/Reuters)

A cosplayer dressed as Batman wearing the Hellbat suit crosses the road during Day 1 of New York Comic Con at Javits Center on October 07, 2021 in New York City. Comic Con has returned this year after being cancelled in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images)