Taiwanese and African environmentalists examine $400,000 worth of seized rhinoceros horns and ivory that were publicly burned Friday in response to allegations that Taiwan condones trade in endangered wildlife. Foreign environmental groups, accusing the Taiwan government of failing to prevent smuggling of rhino horn and ivory, called in November for a boycott of Taiwanese goods by Western consumers. Taiwan denied the charges. It officially banned the import of rhino horn in 1985 but has given traditional Chinese medicine shops until 1994 to sell off existing stocks, estimated at 1.4 tons, which they held before the ban was imposed.
