One major reason for the improved image, according to Chang Feng-hsu, minister of state in the Executive Yuan, is the ROC's prohibition two years ago of the importation of rhinoceroses and rhinoceros horns, a prized ingredient in certain Chinese medicines. Rhinos have declined in number by seventy percent in the past decade, and have been internationally designated as a protected animal.
據行政院政務委員張豐緒表示，最大的原因是我們禁止了犀牛、犀牛角的進口。由於國人重食補、食療，長久來以犀牛角為中藥、殺老虎秤斤論兩賣，受到不少國際保育人士指責，尤其犀牛數量在最近十年減少了百分之七十，早被國際列為受保護的動物。