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)

Revelers celebrate during fireworks marking the start of the New Year on Copacabana beach on January 1, 2017 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

(L-R) Chris Diamantopoulos, AnnaLynne McCord, Matt Jones and Jane Seymour visit the Build Series at Build Studio on January 23, 2018 in New York City, United States. (Photo by Brad Barket/Getty Images)

Visitors make snowmen beside a pool at a hot spring in Hangzhou, in China's eastern Zhejiang province on January 26, 2018. China's central and eastern regions have been hit by heavy snowfalls in recent days, causing disruptions to flight and train schedules. (Photo by AFP Photo/China Stringer Network)

Television personality Farrah Abraham (C) enjoys adult entertainment as she hosts the VIP Back Door Key party at the Crazy Horse III Gentlemen's Club on August 4, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The newly launched VIP membership program offers patrons exclusive entrance to the club through the back door. (Photo by Bryan Steffy/WireImage)

A handout photo made available by Limex Images of Pete McLeod of Canada (R) and Kirby Chambliss of the United States flying over the city of Kazan prior to the fifth stage of the Red Bull Air Race World Championship in Russia on August 22, 2018. (Photo by Joerg Mitter/EPA/EFE/Limex Images)

Two Czech Gripen fighter planes demonstrate a flight interception of a Belgian air force transport plane over the Czech Republic, as part of NATO drills on September 12, 2018. (Photo by Francois Lenoir/Reuters)

PH Sport's driver Sebastian Loeb races against an airplane during a performance act at the Peru Dakar Rally in Lima, Peru on January 5, 2019. (Photo by Carlos Jasso/Reuters)