Press Play with Madeleine Brand
California succulents stolen and sold for big money in Asia
International smugglers are stealing dudleya succulents off California coastlines, and illegally selling them for big money in China and Korea. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife have made several busts this year.
By Madeleine Brand • • 1 min readInternational smugglers are stealing dudleya succulents off California coastlines, and illegally selling them for big money in China and Korea. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife have made several busts this year. They've recovered more than 3000 plants, and are replanting them. They’re collecting anonymous tips about suspicious behavior through the Cal Tip hotline 888-334-2258. People can also text CALTIP to 847411.
A bust of two Korean nationals with 850 plants on the south coast of Mendocino.
Replanting efforts by the California Native Plant Society.
Photo courtesy of CNPS.
Patrick Freeling replanting.
Photos courtesy of California Dept. of Fish and Wildlife.
