The South African Police Service has been dealing with an increasing issue of illegal wildlife trafficking, particularly of endangered succulent plants. In April 2022, officials at Cape Town’s international airport discovered a consignment of 23,000 conophytum succulents, a species known for its extraordinary biodiversity, hidden in cardboard boxes labeled as toys and sent to China. This was not an isolated incident, as a similar case was found a year earlier, with 12,000 succulents found in boxes labeled as mushrooms.
The demand for succulents as ornamental plants has led to the emergence of new markets, particularly in East Asia, with many African countries now involved in their supply, largely from the wild. This has threatened biodiversity in regions such as the Succulent Karoo, an area known for its rich succulent species.
The illegal trade in wildlife is a global issue, with traffickers constantly finding new ways to conceal their goods. In the case of succulents, they are often smuggled through postal and courier services, packed into small parcels. According to a report by the World Customs Organization (WCO), this method accounted for 43% of all flora and fauna seizures in 2022, an increase of 17% from the previous year.
The illegal trade in ivory is another major concern, particularly affecting countries like Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. In March 2023, officials at Hai Phong city, in north-eastern Vietnam, discovered an intriguing shipment from Nigeria containing ivory tusks painted black. This is unusual, as in the past Vietnamese authorities have seized ivory concealed in shipments of cow horns.
Protecting endangered sharks off the coast of Africa is also challenging, as their fins are a key ingredient in shark fin soup, a much sought-after delicacy in many parts of the world. The trade in many shark species is allowed, but selling and buying parts of around 60 shark species is restricted as they have become endangered.
To combat wildlife trafficking, it is crucial for enforcement agencies to share information with their regional and international counterparts. Elizabeth John, senior wildlife investigator with Traffic in south-east Asia, emphasizes that a united front against traffickers is the only way to confront them. Increased seizures suggest that illegal wildlife and timber trade are still prevalent, and traffickers are employing various techniques to evade applicable laws. It is important for customs and border control authorities to be well-resourced, equipped, and trained to be ahead of the traffickers’ constantly evolving tactics.
