Poaching: Code of Ethics and conduct
by Tom Bihr

There is little good data on the well-being of cycads in the wild, we all assume plants are threatened or endangered- I'm surmising that Roy Osborne's work on the "cycad redlist" is a one-of-a-kind document - a sort of living / breathing document subject to change.

A code of conduct and conservation ethic would be a good thing to establish for the Society, reflective of the work of the Cycad Specialist Group (CSG)?

Perhaps only a fraction of the known cycad habitat is ever explored- certainly there has been much plundering and habitat destruction is a reality. To obtain an export permit from a foreign country was(is) a minor miracle. Finding plants in habitat and then preparing plants for export is time consuming and expensive...a local contact is usually necessary or at least helpful. Upon arrival in the states if it was a legal shipment- one must pass agricultural inspection.

When I think of poaching I think of illegal gathering/importation-plants not subjected to inspection. The taking of plants from a depleted natural environment is not a good thing- it rubs against the grain- how does anyone know if they're collecting plants from an at-risk population? Who would you ask? The permit department of the exporting country? The locals? An international authority? Would the unscrupulous collector bother to ask?- Of course not. Do you think you'll have more success as a private individual or as a member of a worldwide cycad conservation effort?

It boils down to a personal code of ethic and conduct- tempered from an educated perspective obtained from discussion(s) - not unlike the discussions on the cycad@onelist list. The society and it's members would do cycads well to be as informed as possible.

So what does one do to act responsibly? A few more thoughts...

If you find yourself in Cycad habitat, you're either a local or you've made a conscious trip to the wilds to observe / collect plants- be it scientist or collector / enthusiast or poacher. Let's explore the collector / enthusiast angle:

What areas are known to have plants potentially at risk? I think one will find themselves in the position to "save or rescue" plants more often than not- How often does anyone travel to Cycad country? So why not be prepared? Know local cycad people, carry a letter of introduction from an "International" organization whose credo is to "conserve and protect cycads worldwide". Think ahead and do whatever you can to work within the laws.

If there are no such tools in hand , what do you do when confronted with at-risk plants? Consider the legal risks. Make sure you have a way to remove the plants and transport them safely to a protected location. Bring appropriate pesticides to ensure that no pests are brought to your home country. Can plants be brought to a local home near the habitat? Is there a rescue station located in-country? There's a bit of planning to do.

There should be, or should be developed a list of contacts in every country where Cycad habitat exists. A point of contact at the permit level and a contact at the legislative level, the scientific community and of course a few well-placed cycad members.

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