Prevent the Extinction of the Critical Venus Flytrap Species

Environment, Petitions — By Callie Brazil on January 29, 2012 5:46 am

Target: Governor of North Carolina Bev Perdue

Goal: Urge the government of North Carolina to enforce greater laws to protect the endangered Venus flytrap, which helps keep pests at bay and plays a unique role in the coastal ecosystem.

Venus flytraps are nature’s way of keeping pest insect populations in balance. These predatory plants, and similar species, feed on mostly insects and arachnids, keeping insects from overrunning coastal areas. However, due to rapid loss of habitat only a small number of flytraps remain in the wild. Now, a report in The Huffington Post, describes how poachers are presenting an even greater threat to these invaluable plants.

Flytraps are considered a threatened species for a host of reasons. Venus flytraps grow in a very specific environment. In the United States, they are present in only a 100-mile area surrounding the coastal Carolina region. The unique criteria flytraps need to thrive put them at high risk to begin with. In addition, demand for housing along the coasts of North and South Carolina is putting added strain on their rapidly shrinking habitat. Then, in an ironic twist, wildfires—which actually help the growth and development of this plant species—are being suppressed and controlled in order to protect the region’s growing number of residents. Finally, add poaching to the mix, and the Venus flytrap is confronting a constellation of serious threats.

In recent weeks, poachers have uprooted and sold hundreds of Venus flytraps, which on the market can sell up to $15 a plant. There is a growing market for this species due to its medicinal properties. Overseas, the Venus flytrap is prized among traditional and homeopathic medicine connoisseurs, who believe the plant has anti-carcinogenic qualities along with other healing properties.

However, flytraps are nearly impossible to grow in captivity unless by a trained professional, and the majority of the stolen plants end up dying even before a sale.

In the Carolinas, poaching Venus flytraps, or any other protected plant species for that matter, is considered a misdemeanor. Poachers are fined a mere $25 and asked to acquire a license in order to remove and sell Venus flytraps in the future—a slap on the wrist. This is especially problematic as the market for Venus flytraps in holistic medicine continues to grow. If a more severe punishment for poaching and illegally selling these endangered plants is not enacted soon, the demand for flytraps will drive the species into extinction.

Sign the petition below to ask the Governor of North Carolina Bev Perdue to enforce stronger laws against poaching endangered plants, like the Venus flytrap. These plants are crucial in keeping the insect populations at bay without bringing pesticides and other chemicals into the mix.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Governor Perdue,

The conservation of Venus flytraps may not seem like a high priority in North Carolina at the moment, but these species are incredibly helpful for humans and occupy a crucial place in the ecosystem. Venus flytraps and other predatory plant species feed on pest insects and arachnids along the Carolina coast, keeping insect populations balanced without the use of pesticides or other chemicals. Unfortunately, Venus flytraps are being threatened in a number of ways, including poaching, which is on the rise.

Just in the last few weeks, poachers have been caught uprooting and selling hundreds of the plant species. When caught, these poachers only receive a $25 fine and are directed to obtain a permit before continuing to uproot the threatened plant species.

Poaching will not stop until tougher sanctions for poaching are enforced—the growing market for Venus flytraps as medicinal remedies ensures this. Please consider the implications of driving the Venus flytrap to extinction, and enact a better punishment for breaking the law and poaching these plants.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

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Photo credit: DrWurm via Flickr