Poaching Crisis in the Succulent Karoo: A Lucrative Black Market
KAROO DESERT, South Africa – In a remote yet ecologically rich part of South Africa, the illegal trade of rare succulent plants is booming. Fueled by global demand, organized crime syndicates are exploiting these unique species, smuggling them to buyers across the U.S., Europe, and East Asia.
A Biodiversity Hotspot Under Siege
The Succulent Karoo—a desert region spanning South Africa and Namibia—is home to a stunning variety of succulents. Some species resemble tiny, colorful buttons, while others mimic miniature cacti with vibrant blooms.
Though many succulents can be cultivated legally in nurseries, wild specimens are highly sought after, driving a surge in plant poaching. According to conservationist Pieter van Wyk, a nursery curator at /Ai /Ais-Richtersveld Transfrontier Park, several species have already been completely wiped out due to illegal harvesting.
A Growing Crisis: Millions of Plants Stolen
Tracking the exact scale of succulent poaching is challenging, but South African law enforcement has seized an estimated 1.6 million illegally harvested succulents between 2019 and 2024. However, experts believe the real number is far higher, as most poached plants are never intercepted.
To combat this, the South African government launched an anti-poaching strategy in 2022, including community education programs to raise awareness about environmental protection.
How COVID-19 Accelerated Succulent Poaching
Van Wyk and other conservationists note that plant poaching skyrocketed after the 2020 COVID-19 lockdowns.
With international traders unable to travel to South Africa, they began hiring locals to collect and ship succulents illegally. Meanwhile, home gardening trends surged worldwide, increasing demand for exotic and rare plants.
The Role of Social Media and Online Marketplaces
Organized crime groups have turned to social media and e-commerce platforms to market stolen succulents, often promoting them as “super-rare plants from Africa.”
“They create viral trends, making people desperate to own these unusual species,” explains Van Wyk. “And before you know it, a species is gone from the wild.”
To combat this, UK-based Kew Gardens and wildlife trade monitoring group Traffic are now collaborating with eBay to curb the online sale of wild-collected succulents.
The Impact on Local Communities
For low-income communities in Namaqualand, succulent poaching offers quick cash, but it also fuels social problems like drug use and alcoholism.
A livestock farmer from the region, who spoke anonymously, describes the telltale signs:
“When young men head up the mountains with screwdrivers and backpacks, we know they’re poaching. A few days later, there’s a surge in drinking, drug use, and neglect in families.”
Conservationist Malinda Gardiner warns that the divide between those involved in poaching and those trying to protect the environment is growing, causing tensions within small communities.
Raising Awareness and Finding Solutions
In response to the crisis, conservation groups are working to educate buyers about the importance of responsibly sourcing succulents.
One successful effort is China’s Clean Internet for Conophytum campaign, launched in 2023. This initiative has led to an 80% drop in online ads for Conophytum succulents of unknown origin—a sign that awareness efforts can make a difference.
The Future of Succulent Conservation
To reduce the incentive for poaching, experts like Van Wyk believe South Africa should promote legal cultivation and export of succulents, ensuring the country benefits from its natural resources rather than losing them to illegal markets.
At his nursery in /Ai /Ais-Richtersveld Transfrontier Park, he now rehabilitates succulents confiscated from smugglers, with over 200,000 plants saved so far.
“It’s heartbreaking to see these plants disappear,” he says. “But caring for them brings joy, and it reminds us why we must keep fighting to protect them.”
How You Can Help
Buy from ethical sources – Only purchase nursery-grown succulents, never wild-collected ones.
Ask questions – If a seller cannot verify the plant’s legal origin, don’t buy it.
Report illegal sales – Platforms like eBay and Facebook Marketplace are working to remove listings for poached succulents—help by reporting suspicious ads.
Support conservation groups – Organizations like Traffic and Kew Gardens are working to stop the illegal succulent trade.
Source: BBC
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