Botanical bandits stealing succulents from Huntington Gardens

There's a growing global problem of people stealing wild succulents, and it's harming the environment.

Nicole Cavender with the Huntington Botanical Gardens tells KNX News' Karen Adams that, although it may be hard to believe, more crime is happening in the plant world than in animal poaching.

"Poaching of wild populations is on the rise globally, especially in areas where there are unique plants..." Cavender said, and "There actually are species of plants going on the IUCN endangered plant list - The International Union for the Concern of Nature."

Desert Collections Curator John Trager said these botanical bandits have recently hit the gardens in San Marino.

"We've had various succulents taken from the Desert Garden, Echeveria, for example, that is not hugely expensive, but you know, it might garner $30 or to $50," Trager said.

He said plants are the basis of the food chain, converting solar energy into food that feeds entire ecosystems, including humans. Removing the plants from their natural environment in large numbers could have catastrophic consequences.

They say the thefts at the Huntington Botanical Gardens prevent them from breeding plants they're trying to save, so if you suspect a succulent you purchased was obtained illegally, report it.