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)

Hundreds of hardy swimmers across Britain braved jumping into freezing cold waters for a annual Christmas Day dip on December 25, 2017. (Photo by Dave Nelson/The Sun)

In this November 30, 2017 photo, Douglas scoops up mud from the bottom of the polluted Guaire River, in search of gold and anything valuable he can sell, in Caracas, Venezuela. Some stretches of the river smell of sewer while others emit a toxic odor of fuel, a stench that stays in ones nose for hours after leaving the water. (Photo by Ariana Cubillos/AP Photo)

An Afghan boy jumps off the turret of a Soviet tank on a hilltop on the the outskirts of Kabul, Sunday, March, 4, 2018. (Photo by Rahmat Gul/AP Photo)

Daughter of Palestinian man Ali Daba, who decided with his wife to split their children up and mark them with bracelets to help identify them, in fear of them being killed in Israeli strikes, shows her bracelet at their shelter in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip on October 24, 2023. (Photo by Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/Reuters)

Lewis McKay, two, from East Kilbride, tries out the drums at the 2024 World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow. on August 16, 2024 Some 204 bands, representing 13 nations and including 9,000 musicians, are competing over two days. (Photo by Wattie Cheung/The Times)

Olympiakos' Italian defender #05 Lorenzo Pirola (L) is held by Sporting Braga's French forward #09 Amine El Ouazzani during the UEFA Europa League 1st round day 2 football match between Olympiakos and Sporting Braga at Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus on October 3, 2024. (Photo by Angelos Tzortzinis/AFP Photo)

Sophie Hawkshaw, 9, dressed as a Headless Horseman, participates in a lead rein fancy dress competition for riders under 10 years old at an agricultural show, in Athenry, Ireland on May 25, 2025. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)