The U.S. had proposed moving polar bears to Appendix I, which applies to species threatened with extinction and effectively bans trade in their body parts.

CNN: World rejects new protections for polar bears

Already, 17, 000 plant and animal species are threatened with extinction (IUCN, 2009).

UNESCO: MEDIA SERVICES

The Appendix lists species which may become threatened with extinction unless trade is closely controlled.

BBC: Landmark shark ban upheld at conservation meeting

Ninety species of parrot are threatened with extinction and zoos worldwide are working hard to try to save them.

BBC: Brazil hunts for unique lost bird

Polar bears have been listed under Appendix II of the CITES accords, which applies to species that are not currently threatened with extinction but may face it without restrictions on the trade of their body parts.

CNN: World rejects new protections for polar bears

Appendix II lists species which are not necessarily now threatened with extinction but which may become so unless trade is closely controlled.

BBC: Cites meeting votes to protect Oceanic whitetip shark

All five species (three in Asia) were declared endangered or threatened with extinction.

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