Conservation groups are sounding the alarm over the unlawful collection and online sale of wild plants, which poses a threat to various species and supports organized crime. The demand for wild plants, particularly succulents such as cacti and aloe vera, has surged in recent years, with many consumers seeking these low-maintenance options for their homes and gardens.

According to the organization Traffic, there is an increasing trend of individuals turning to online platforms to purchase plants, often looking for rare varieties or discounted prices. This has led to a detrimental impact on native species in regions like South Africa, where poaching disrupts ecosystems and undermines local communities.

Traffic's research indicates that a significant number of wild plants harvested illegally in South Africa are subsequently sold online globally. Since 2019, over one million illegally collected succulent plants have been confiscated by South African law enforcement, reflecting a significant increase in poaching activities driven by escalating consumer demand.

Additionally, the illegal plant trade often disguises itself as legitimate commerce, complicating efforts to identify and eliminate unethical practices. Many consumers remain unaware of the legal and ethical considerations at stake when purchasing these plants.

To address this pressing issue, Traffic and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew have engaged with e-commerce platforms to improve online sales policies. eBay is collaborating with these organizations to develop a framework aimed at reinforcing regulations governing plant sales and preventing illegal transactions.

Dominique Prinsloo, a project manager at Traffic, emphasized the importance of this partnership, stating it marks a vital step towards integrating conservation efforts with e-commerce. The initiative seeks to safeguard the existence of these plants and the habitats they grow in, thereby benefiting local communities that have sustainably coexisted with them for generations.

David Whitehead, a project lead at Kew, remarked on the complexities surrounding the prevention of illegal plant sales while also fostering responsible trade. He acknowledged eBay's efforts to enhance transparency in the online market for succulents, which are crucial for protecting wild populations and fostering sustainable practices among buyers and sellers.

As part of its commitment to eradicating illegal wildlife trade, eBay reported blocking or removing 500,000 items in violation of its wildlife policies in 2023. Through collaboration with Traffic and Kew, the company plans to include at-risk wild plant species in its list of endangered items prohibited on its platform.

Furthermore, Kew is utilizing a web-crawling tool called FloraGuard, which monitors online wildlife product sales. This technology has proven effective in pinpointing advertisements for endangered species and analyzing trade trends to inform conservation strategies.