A devastating trade in protected plant species has taken hold in South Africa, with organized crime groups capitalizing on overseas demand for succulents. The poaching of these plants from the wild is fueling a crisis that not only threatens local communities but also undermines the country’s biodiversity.
The Succulent Karoo desert, spanning across South Africa and Namibia, is home to many unique species of succulents. These plants have adapted to survive in arid climates and come in various shapes, sizes, and colors, with some resembling small buttons or cacti. While some succulents can be cultivated in nurseries, global demand has driven the poaching of wild species from these areas.
In Kamieskroon, a town in South Africa’s Namaqualand region, poachers have made it their haven. The rolling hills have become a hotspot for poaching, with local species being wiped out by just small amounts of poaching. Seven succulent species are already extinct, and more will likely follow.
The true extent of the problem is difficult to quantify, but 1.6 million illegally harvested succulents were seized between 2019 and 2024. This only accounts for the detected contraband, suggesting a higher total figure.
Conservationists blame the Covid-19 lockdown in 2020, which led international traders to turn to local poachers for succulents. As people had more time during the pandemic, they sought plants to keep busy with, and succulents fit the bill. Organized crime syndicates saw an opportunity to capitalize on this trend.
The syndicates hire plant poachers and market wild plants on social media and e-commerce platforms, preying on public demand for exotic goods. The consequences are dire, affecting local communities and undermining conservation efforts.
The South African government has unveiled a strategy to combat poaching since 2022, including community programs to promote environmental protection. However, more needs to be done to address the issue, with Mr. Pieter van Wyk advocating for the cultivation of succulents that can be grown and harvested legally.
Van Wyk’s efforts have seen his nursery at the /Ai /Ais-Richtersveld Transfrontier Park receive over 200,000 confiscated plants so far. While it is stressful to see these species disappear, studying them brings joy and a sense of wonder.
As consumers, there is an opportunity to make a difference by asking about the origin of plants before purchasing them. The Clean Internet for Conophytum campaign in China has seen some success in raising awareness among buyers, and similar efforts are being made globally to prevent the sale of wild succulents on platforms like eBay.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ced8v60q4x7o