South Africa’s “Super-Strange Looking” Plants Fall Victim for Illegal Trade

A remote corner of South Africa has become the hub of a disturbing surge in the illegal trade of unique plants. Organised crime groups are taking advantage of overseas demand for these rare species and transforming the region into a hotbed of illegal activity. Most of the targeted plants are succulents, prized for their ability to retain water and thrive in arid climates. Many of these species are endemic to the Succulent Karoo desert which is a biodiversity hotspot that stretches across South Africa and Namibia.

The effects of this trade have been devastating for local communities. One of the frustrated livestock farmers in Namaqualand was saying that the poachers took away not only the plants but also the heritage of the region. Poachers have taken over the rolling hills of Kamieskroon, a small town in the area, uprooting succulents with screwdrivers and carrying them away in backpacks.

Poaching impacts more than the loss of plants. It has been reported that seven species of succulents have already gone extinct in South Africa, and many more are threatened with extinction. Between 2019 and 2024, law enforcement agencies confiscated 1.6 million illegally harvested succulents, but the actual figure is believed to be far higher.

This crisis has been deepened since the Covid-19 lockdowns in 2020. International traders, unable to travel, relied on local people to collect and ship the plants. This period also saw a global spike in demand, as people sought hobbies like gardening to cope with isolation.Crime syndicates capitalised on this trend by marketing these “super-strange looking” plants on social media and e-commerce platforms.

Local communities are being torn apart by the trade. While poachers see an influx of money, the consequences are dire. Binge drinking, drug use, and neglect of children rise after poaching activities. Conservationist Malinda Gardiner highlights how these issues create distrust and division among already struggling communities.

Efforts to combat the trade include raising awareness about the origin of plants and encouraging buyers to avoid wild-harvested succulents. Campaigns in countries like China have reduced online sales, and platforms like eBay are working to prevent the sale of illegally sourced plants.

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Experts believe promoting legal cultivation of succulents could offer a sustainable solution. Pieter van Wyk, a nursery curator, works tirelessly to care for confiscated plants, but he warns that more action is needed to protect South Africa’s natural heritage.