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)

American singer Jennifer Lynn Lopez, also known as J.Lo reacts after winning the MTV Generation Award at the MTV Movie & TV Awards at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California, U.S., June 5, 2022. (Photo by Mario Anzuoni/Reuters)

Anna Malova, Miss Russia 1998, poses on a pool table at The Campbell Apartment restaurant in Grand Central Station on November 18, 1999. She makes her motion picture debut in the movie “Above Ground”. (Photo by Richard Corkery/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images)

Actor Mike Lane, standing six feet 10 inches in his stocking feet, makes a perfect monster as he carries actress Nancy Knox down the stairs into Frankenstein's dungeon, February 28, 1958. They have featured parts in the upcoming Boris Karloff movie “Frankenstein 1970”. (Photo by David F. Smith/AP Photo)

A representative of Makinarium production, specialized in special visual effects, displays a latex mask for horror movie on a stand inside the Festival Palace during the 69th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, May 14, 2016. (Photo by Regis Duvignau/Reuters)

Members of the Wasteland Warriors from the movie “MadMax” pose during the Wacken Open Air festival on August 4, 2016 in Wacken, Germany. Wacken is a village in northern Germany with a population of 1,800 that has hosted the annual festival, which attracts heavy metal fans from around the world, since 1990. (Photo by Alexander Koerner/Getty Images)

Enthusiast Desirae Hepp, dressed as "Immortan Joe," poses for a portrait during Wasteland Weekend event in California City, California September 26, 2015. The four-day event has a post-apocalyptic theme and is inspired by the Mad Max movie franchise. (Photo by Mario Anzuoni/Reuters)

English actress, television presenter and model Kelly Brook attends the London premiere of Guy Ritchies movie “Snatch” held at the Odeon Leicester Square in London's West End, August 23, 2000. (Photo by Alan Davidson/Rex Features/Shutterstock)