Rare cacti that were illegally harvested from one of the most arid places on Earth are finally being returned to their native habitat.
The cacti in question belong to the genera Copiapoa and Eriosyce, which thrive in the harsh, dry conditions of northern Chile, particularly within the Atacama Desert. These unique species have garnered significant interest from collectors who seek them for ornamental purposes, both for landscaping and as indoor plants. However, due to strict regulations prohibiting the export of these cacti, they have become prime targets for poachers. According to a statement released by representatives of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) on April 26, hundreds of these plants were illicitly removed from their natural environment between the years 2013 and 2019.
In a notable operation, Italian authorities confiscated a total of 1,035 cacti involved in illegal trade during two separate raids conducted in 2020. This marked the largest seizure of its kind in Italy to date, as reported by IUCN representatives in December. The raids were part of an extensive initiative known as Operation Atacama, which saw collaboration between Italian and Chilean officials alongside the IUCN. The primary goal of this operation was to recover stolen cacti and facilitate their return to Chile.
The first raid took place in February 2020 in Senigallia, a picturesque port town along the Adriatic Sea, where officials discovered hundreds of Copiapoa and Eriosyce cacti. Later, in November of the same year, Operation Atacama led to the recovery of an additional 171 plants in Rimini, Italy. Among these, 80 originated from Chile, while others came from Mexico and the United States.
Regrettably, not all of the recovered cacti survived the ordeal. A total of 107 plants perished before they could be sent back to Chile. Additionally, 84 of the cacti will remain in Italy at the Città Studi Botanical Garden in Milan, where researchers will conduct studies on them. Fortunately, the remaining 844 Chilean cacti were successfully returned to their homeland on April 19. Before being reintroduced into their natural environment, these plants will undergo a quarantine period to ensure they do not carry any invasive pests or diseases that could threaten other native flora in Chile.
While cacti are found in various regions across the Americas, they also grow in Mediterranean climates, Australia, and South Africa. The Copiapoa and Eriosyce species from Chile are among the rarest globally and can command prices as high as $1,500 each on the black market in Europe and Asia, according to the IUCN. The collection of cacti recovered through Operation Atacama is estimated to be worth around $1.2 million, as reported by The New York Times on May 20. This highlights not only the value of these plants but also the ongoing challenges related to wildlife trafficking and conservation efforts.Cacti exhibit a remarkable variety of forms, ranging from the towering saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea), which boasts numerous arms and is commonly found in the Sonoran Desert, to the squat, long-spined Copiapoa dealbata. These unique plants often thrive in limited geographic areas and exist in relatively low numbers, making them particularly appealing to collectors around the world, as highlighted by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in their December report.
Unfortunately, the illegal trade of these cacti is alarmingly prevalent, occurring openly in many instances. Poached succulents can be found displayed in local plant shops, promoted on social media platforms, and sold through various online marketplaces, according to reports from The Times. In some cases, poachers have taken to livestreaming their activities directly from the field, engaging with potential buyers by asking them which specific plants they are interested in acquiring.
While cacti are remarkably resilient, capable of surviving in extremely arid conditions and enduring severe temperature fluctuations, their greatest threat stems from human actions. Beyond the issue of poaching, the ongoing development of desert ecosystems poses a significant risk to these plants. As land is cleared for agricultural purposes, ranching, residential construction, and industrial expansion, the natural habitats of cacti are being disrupted and destroyed. The IUCN recently reported that out of approximately 10,000 known succulent species worldwide, around 2,000 are currently at risk of extinction in their natural environments. This alarming statistic underscores the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect these extraordinary plants and their habitats from further degradation.
