Poaching isn’t just an animal crisis. South Africa’s rare plant species are also under threat. 🌵💔 A report by @TRAFFIC_WLTrade reveals that between 2019 and May 2024, law enforcement seized more than 1.6 million succulent plants representing over 650 species in South Africa. This surge in illegal harvesting is fuelled by international demand for rare and exotic succulents, with social media and online marketplaces helping connect collectors with these climate-resilient houseplants. South Africa is home to some of the world’s most unique succulent species, many of which are found nowhere else on Earth. The widespread removal of these plants from the wild threatens biodiversity and can have wider impacts on the ecosystems where they grow. You can help stop this illegal trade by making ethical choices: 🌱 Always buy succulents from accredited, legitimate nurseries that propagate plants ethically. 🌳 Avoid purchasing rare species online if the seller cannot verify their legal source. 📲 Share this post to raise awareness of this growing conservation crisis. Together, we can help safeguard South Africa’s natural heritage. Because once wild populations disappear, they may not come back. Read the report here: traffic.org/site/assets/file…