Download Vietnam has lost its battle to save on of its iconic species, the Javan rhinoceros.

The World Wildlife Fund has confirmed that a carcass found earlier this year was of the last known Javan rhino in the country.

With many animals being traded as pets, or for their body parts which are used in traditional medicine, the global illegal animal trade is a multi-billion dollar business.

Vietnam's Javan rhino is just one of its latest victims.

Janak Rogers from Radio Australia has the report.

Download  In what is being described as a landmark case, a Taiwanese owned manufacturer has made an out of court settlement with thousands of Vietnamese farmers who claim pollution caused by his firm significantly affected their livelihoods.

Vedan Vietnam, which makes food additives including monosodium glutamate (known as MSG), reportedly discharged waste water in such quantities into the local river that it damaged the ecosystem.

Thousands of fish and shrimp farmers claimed the toxic waters killed their catch and ruined farmland along the river's banks.

Vedan has admitted responsibility and offered compensation worth 11.5 million US dollar to farmers in three provinces.

Bo Hill of Radio Australia has the story.