Prickly cactus species 'under threat'

[Still Waters]

The iconic cactus plant is veering into trouble say researchers.

The most serious problem is illegal smuggling.

Despite the international ban on uncontrolled trade in cacti, policing the smuggling faces many problems and semi-professional hunters continue to uproot plants to order, stealing from National Parks, Indian Reservations, but more significantly from the wild.

In southern Spain, the plants are being devastated by the cochineal beetle. But the picture there is mirrored across other regions of the world.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-45438733

[FurriesRock]

Its funny, but mostly just sad, that Cacti are smuggled to be sold in places where they will never naturally grow.

Even where I live, ****ing Lowes only sells cacti that cannot survive the winter here!

To get some Prickly Pears I just drove around my county and carefully tore off some sections and replanted at home.  

I swear to the Dark Lord, humans are mostly a stupid species.