Biodiversity Crime in the Western Cape: A Focus on Indigenous Succulent Plants

The Western Cape is an international biodiversity hotspot, and some of the plants and animals found here occur naturally nowhere else in the world. Sadly, this makes our province an attractive destination for wildlife traffickers. Two of the most targeted commodities are indigenous succulent plants and reptiles. CapeNature is committed to working with key stakeholders and partner organisations in law enforcement to protect our unique and precious ecosystems and ensure their survival for future generations.

Indigenous plants are a unique and vital part of our biodiversity. They play a crucial role in maintaining the delicate balance of our ecosystems, and the decline of specific species is of concern. The illegal trade in several types of succulent plants threatens the survival of these species.

Species from the genus Conophytum and the genus Anacampseros are frequently targeted. The methods used to poach these plants are destructive, involving uprooting entire plants or cutting off stems, leading to permanent damage or death and harm to associated ecosystems.

Both locally and internationally, the illegal trade of succulents is driven by high demand. In February 2023 more species of plants, including all species of the genus Conophytum, were added to Appendix 3 of the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). This means that there are enhanced international controls applicable to the trade in such plants.

CapeNature urges the public to help combat biodiversity crime by reporting any suspicious activity related to the illegal trade in indigenous succulent plants to the nearest police station or CapeNature on 087 087 9262 or contact the CRIME STOP TIP-OFF-LINE on 086 00 10111.