Today it is estimated that fewer than 7,000 remain in the wild. Nearly every part of the tiger is traded, from its bones to its magnificent skin. Bears Bear populations have been decimated in more than half of the areas that they once populated. Bears are poached for their skins, gall bladders and other body parts to supply the traditional Chinese medicine trade and exotic meat market. Marine turtles All seven species of marine turtle are endangered.
Turtles face a daunting variety of man-made threats.
In the seas, they are caught up in fishing nets, often intentionally to supply the trade in its meat and body parts. Their ancient nest sites are destroyed by beachside developments such as hotels. Turtle shell jewellery, combs, sunglasses and even whole shells are often on sale overseas. Rhinos The most pressing threat to the rhino is poaching for its horn used in traditional Chinese medicine. Rhino numbers have plummeted from an estimated 100,000 at the turn of the century to less than 15,000 wild individuals.