Across the Western Cape, there has been a steady rise in the unlawful harvesting and trading of rare succulent plants.
This has resulted in many of the species facing potential extinction in the wild.
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IOL has reported that the illegal removal of plants is the most widespread wildlife crime in the Western Cape.
The succulents are in demand from collectors and nurseries in East Asia, who are willing to pay excessive amounts for the illicit goods.
CapeNature has said that the 2023 State of Biodiversity Reports showcased a noteworthy increase in succulent poaching and trafficking over recent years. The trade of illegal succulents allegedly grew rapidly after the 2020 pandemic.
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Succulent trafficking cases have risen from constituting 4% of all registered cases in 2018 to constituting 54% in 2022.
In recent years, authorities have seized over 1.2 million illegally harvested wild plants ranging across 650 different species. It is further believed that less than 25% of the trade is interrupted by officials.
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The Western Cape is home to over 52% of all flora species in South Africa, many of which are endemic. This rarity makes the plants a target for poachers.
CapeNature has deemed illicit poaching and trading to be the biggest threat to the loss of species, second only to environmental damage.
When commenting on the issue, the South African National Biodiversity Institute stated that the impacts of such trade have been severe and result in many species being pushed closer to extinction as a result of the illegal harvesting.
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