CapeNature has raised the alarm on the growing threat of biodiversity crime in the Western Cape, revealing 12 new cases and 23 fines issued between April and June 2025 alone.
Offences range from illegal plant harvesting and trading, to the picking of wildflowers without a permit - and they are having a severe impact on the province’s ecosystems. Of the 12 registered cases, eight involved flora and four involved fauna.
Most fines were related to violations of the Nature Conservation Ordinance, with 15 involving wildlife. Four fines were issued under the Marine Living Resources Act.
“These statistics reflect the seriousness of biodiversity crime in the province and our ongoing efforts to strengthen compliance and enforcement,” said Western Cape Environmental Affairs MEC Anton Bredell.
Each act of enforcement helps safeguard the Western Cape’s globally significant ecosystems, he added.
SEE: CapeNature’s 2025 Snapshot: New Species, Big Threats
Home to the UNESCO-listed Cape Floristic Region, the province harbours one of the world's richest floral kingdoms. However, nearly 16% of its species and over half of its ecosystems are now listed as threatened.
CapeNature’s efforts include multi-agency collaboration with units of SAPS such as the Hawks and the Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit, alongside various law enforcement and conservation partners. These operations form part of a broader strategy to curb biodiversity crime while enabling sustainable, conservation-based livelihoods.
As biodiversity crime continues to place pressure on already fragile landscapes, CapeNature urges the public to respect protected areas, report illegal activity, and recognise the long-term value of the region’s natural heritage.