Over the years we’ve marvelled at dogs trained to detect drugs, wildlife contraband, currency, blood and even illicit mobile phones. But now a new level of canine expertise has been unlocked – three Conservation Canine Unit dogs have been trained to detect endangered succulent plants in the Karoo.
This is part of crucial efforts – involving the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), the South African Police Service (SAPS) Stock Theft and Endangered Species units and CapeNature – to preserve succulent plants that have become endangered due to the insatiable demand of overseas markets.
“This initiative is the first of its kind in South Africa and is a significant breakthrough for the country’s conservation efforts. As far as we know these dogs are the only detection dogs being used globally to help combat plant poaching,” says a scientific coordinator for plant poaching response. The coordinator facilitates the collaboration of the working group consisting of the EWT, SAPS, CapeNature and SANBI. This person is not named for security reasons and to protect their safety.
The group’s efforts have already helped bring plant poaching criminals to book.
SANBI, in its capacity as one of the lead agents in implementing the plant-poaching response plan, is also collaborating with various organisations to host plant identification workshops.
It also works closely with law enforcement agencies, assisting them with the identification of confiscated plants and other critical information required for criminal investigations.
“We are also working with the EWT and CapeNature to support the initiative and ensure that South Africans are aware of the growing illicit trade of succulent flora,” says Emily Kudze, SANBI senior scientific coordinator: illegal succulent trade.
SANBI has already provided training to at least 20 traffic officers and SAPS members working in Vanrhynsdorp in the Western Cape, where plant poachers often pass through.
“We provided them with a fundamental plant identification course that covers the types of plants being targeted and the environmental risks posed by plant poaching, and the results were outstanding. Within two days of training, traffic officers intercepted poachers transporting succulents in their vehicles. Thanks to their prompt action, they successfully arrested the culprits,” says the scientific coordinator for plant poaching response.
SANBI’s commitment to raising awareness around plant poaching doesn’t stop there – it has also engaged members of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) about the issue.
“Training and engaging with the NPA shed light on the severity of the problem and helped us realise that there needs to be stricter enforcement of plant poaching laws and more severe penalties for poachers,” says Kudze.
South Africa has a generally progressive governance framework for managing the use and trade of wildlife and wildlife products. Although there are some gaps between national and provincial policies that limit law enforcement, collaborative efforts are being made to update these policies and address the current succulent poaching crisis.
Despite the backlog of cases awaiting trial – a result of the global Covid-19 pandemic and challenges around apprehending poaching criminals higher up the chain – Kudze says, “Law enforcement organisations are steadily closing in on the middlemen involved in the succulent poaching crisis. This is all possible because of the teamwork between the NPA’s Organised Crime Components and the SAPS.”
SANBI is proud to be collaborating with all these stakeholders in the fight against plant poachers. To date, more than one million plants have been confiscated from plant poachers – but this is only the tip of the iceberg in this multi billion-rand industry.
There is a growing demand for these plants and SANBI is committed to protecting South Africa’s biodiversity, as reflected in its nationally approved National Response Strategy and Action Plan that focuses on tackling the challenges around the illegal collection and trade of plants.
Kudze adds that protecting biodiversity starts with creating awareness around the importance of safeguarding our biodiversity from illegal trade.
“Awareness is key – when you know better, you can do better,” she says.
Collaboration is crucial for conservation and successful convictions. “When conservationists, experts, law enforcement and communities collaborate, we create a stronger defence against poachers.”