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)

Omar Gamal, a 28-year-old pigeon keeper, stands next to his pigeon coop on his rooftop in the Egyptian capital's twin city of Giza on February 21, 2021, with the Pyramids of (R to L) Khufu (Cheops), Khafre (Chephren), and Menkaure (Menkheres) in the background. An ancient tradition handed down through the generations, the practice of domesticating pigeons stretches across borders from the banks of the Nile to north Africa and beyond, with people not only training birds for competitions, but also serving them up as a dining delicacy. (Photo by Khaled Desouki/AFP Photo)

In this Monday, April 6, 2020 photo, a woman carries a her baby and a bucket of water in Harare. Lockdowns imposed to curb the coronavirus’ spread have put millions of women in Africa, Asia and elsewhere out of reach of birth control and other sexual and reproductive health needs. Confined to their homes with husbands and others, they face unwanted pregnancies and little idea of when they can reach the outside world again. (Photo by Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi/AP Photo)

Supporters of the presidential candidate Muhammadu Buhari and his All Progressive Congress hits with a motorbike another supporter during celebrations in Kano March 31, 2015. Nigeria's opposition APC declared an election victory on Tuesday for former military ruler Buhari and said Africa's most populous nation was witnessing history with its first democratic transfer of power. (Photo by Goran Tomasevic/Reuters)

A Research In Motion BlackBerry device is shown on October 12, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. A three-day disruption of service that has previously affected users in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and India has now spread to customers in North America. Customers are experiencing patchy email service and receiving no access to browsing or messaging. (Photo Illustration by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Revellers take part in an annual block party before Carnival in downtown Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, January 16, 2016. The Rio de Janeiro Carnival will be held from February 5 to February 9. (Photo by Pilar Olivares/Reuters)

The team from France performs their Free Routine during the Synchronized Swimming Olympic Games Qualification Tournament at the Maria Lenk Aquatics Center in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on March 6, 2016. The tournament is also a test event for the Rio 2016 Olympics. (Photo by Sergio Moraes/Reuters)

Bridegrooms pose for a photograph as they attend a mass wedding ceremony at Arena Corinthians soccer stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil, September 26, 2015. According to the event's organizers, at least 400 couples tied the knot during a mass wedding which was organized by the Department of Justice and Citizenship of the state of Sao Paulo. (Photo by Paulo Whitaker/Reuters)