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State of South African Succulent Poaching

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Apicra
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State of South African Succulent Poaching

Post by Apicra »

A friend brought this well-written free article from The Times to my attention. Most of it features interviews from Kew and summarises the depressing continued-destruction of succulents in their natural habitat:
https://www.thetimes.com/article/becf71 ... a138d49d2a

Best wishes,
Derek Tribble
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ChrisR
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Re: State of South African Succulent Poaching

Post by ChrisR »

Is it a new article? Old news now considering it was going on since 2019. I say 'was' because it's basically over. It's quite a while since any arrests have been made or conos confiscated. The Asian craze for Conophytum finished probably a year ago. The Chinese CBCGDF advertised the issue nationally and are currently attempting to prosecute one of the main culprits which has deterred others. At the same time prices were falling due to over-supply and less demand in China, so poached plant dealers just moved on to other things. There are just a hardcore of Chinese and Korean enthusiasts left who are promoting artificial propagation and the need to avoid the sale of poached plants and those who deal in them. Many huge wholesale growers have started producing literally millions of plants from seed. So Kew are far too late and even so can't do anything about what might be happening on the ground in South Africa. Neither in my opinion could they tell the difference between poached and old cultivated plants for sale online.
Chris Rodgerson- Sheffield UK BCSS 27098

See www.conophytum.com for ca.4000 photos and growing info on Conophytum, Crassula & Adromischus.
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Phil_SK
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Re: State of South African Succulent Poaching

Post by Phil_SK »

The same? similar? article padding out the BBC News site today https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ced8v60q4x7o
Phil Crewe, BCSS 38143. Mostly S. American cacti, esp. Lobivia, Sulcorebutia and little Opuntia
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Apicra
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Re: State of South African Succulent Poaching

Post by Apicra »

Same subject - different content - stock photos.

Best wishes for this festive season,
Derek Tribble
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