Creating Safe Spaces for Threatened Karoo Succulents
Key Facts
FUNDING SCHEME Evidence
VALUE £98,305
WHERE South Africa
Summary
We will develop a novel approach to address illegal harvesting of threatened succulents from the Succulent Karoo, South Africa. Our ‘Safe Space’ model aims to reduce poaching of Conophytum succulents at a pilot site, which if successful, we will replicate more widely. Activities include identifying succulent hotspot priority areas, engaging with land custodians and farmworkers to identify one pilot area, developing measures to counter poaching through empowerment of land custodians, identifying alternative livelihood options, and strategies to reduce gender inequality.
Over 600 arrests and more than 500 convictions in wildlife crime since 2017, alongside a decline in ivory trafficking cases and an increase in elephant and rhino populations.
