Poaching the Succulents?

South Africa's, relatively tiny, Richtersveld Transfrontier Park is 'easily the most biologically diverse desert in the world' (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/may/03/drought-dust-storms-plant-theft-unique-botanical-landscape-peril-aoe). This desert park is at the intersection of 3 biomes (distinct areas with their own distinctive organisms). It also has a complex geology and is the location of the world's oldest mountains. Richtersveld is home to 3000 plant species, 400 of which are endemics (found nowhere else). This 'Botanist's paradise' is, however, being threatened by a combination of the climate emergency (minor changes in rainfall can have effects on its specialist plants) and the poaching of succulents (for gardeners). An example of the scale of the problem is provided by Pearson's aloe (Aloe pearsonii). 85% of these plants have disappeared from the park in the last 5 years. The taking of rare plants is not punished anything like as firmly, as poaching of endangered animal species. It is, however just as destructive to unique ecosystems.