The illegal trade in South Africa's succulent plants poses a significant threat to numerous species and disrupts local communities. A recent report highlights the urgent battle against poaching activities, primarily driven by global demand for these unique plants.
South Africa's rich biodiversity includes many species of succulent plants, particularly found in the Succulent Karoo desert. Succulents are renowned for their ability to retain water, making them well-adapted to arid climates. With some varieties resembling cacti or colorful buttons, they attract both collectors and casual plant enthusiasts alike.
While succulents can be cultivated legally, the allure of acquiring them from the wild has fueled illegal harvesting. Organized crime groups have seized this opportunity, often employing local poachers who uproot protected species to meet the burgeoning international demand.
According to BBC reports, the illegal succulent market has seen intense activity, particularly after 2020. "They've not just stolen our land or our plants, they've stolen our heritage as well," lamented one local livestock farmer. This sentiment is echoed across farming communities, where livelihoods are already at risk amid growing ecological crises.
Kamieskroon, situated at the heart of the Namaqualand region, has become notable for its poaching activities. The harsh reality is staggering: over 1.6 million illegally harvested succulents have been confiscated from poachers between 2019 and 2024, with many more likely slipping by undetected. Pieter van Wyk, who oversees the nursery at the /Ai /Ais-Richtersveld Transfrontier Park, warns, "We know already of seven species [of succulents] has been wiped out completely and there are certainly more species...that will go extinct very soon."
The poaching methods employed are as concerning as the extinction rates. Poachers often use everyday tools such as screwdrivers, as they navigate the rugged landscapes to uproot plants. These stolen succulents are then smuggled out of the country, primarily sold online to buyers throughout the United States, Europe, and East Asia.
This situation is exacerbated by the socioeconomic conditions of the local communities involved. "This is a low-income area; people are not rich here, and people will exploit opportunities for income," explained Malinda Gardiner from Conservation South Africa. The influx of money from poaching has led to dangerous social consequences, including increased substance abuse. "When we see young men going up the mountain areas, we know they're poachers... When they get the money, there's more drugs, more alcohol, children are neglected because mummy is drunk, daddy is drunk, there's no food," noted the livestock farmer.
These dynamics not only affect the immediate economic circumstances but also fracture community trust and social cohesion. "Small communities here really need each other… but this brings distrust. It brings a split in the communities as well," Gardiner lamented.
On the other hand, conservationists are not sitting idly by. They are taking steps to combat this issue, such as launching public awareness campaigns. China, one of the largest markets for succulents, has recently seen efforts to educate consumers about the illegal trade. Linda Wong of the Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation reported, "The key is awareness. Once people know, they want to take action." Since launching their campaign, they've noted around an 80% reduction in online adverts for unverified wild succulents.
The fight against succulent poaching involves not only raising awareness but also promoting legal cultivation methods. Van Wyk emphasizes, "We as a country need to say: 'We have this resource, and there are other countries benefiting from this, why aren't we?'" His nursery has already taken stewardship of over 200,000 confiscated plants, showing the potential for legal and sustainable alternatives to poaching.
Efforts from institutions like Traffic and Kew Gardens aim to curb the illegal sale of succulents on platforms like eBay. Conservationists encourage customers globally to understand where their plants originate, warning against purchasing wild-harvested varieties.
While the situation remains dire, there is hope through building awareness, sustainable practices, and nurturing local economies without succumbing to poaching. It requires collective action to protect the extraordinary biodiversity of South Africa's succulent plants and the communities intertwined with their fate.
