-Off subject, Subject, Stolen cycads are returned to QBG

From: "Julius Boos" ju-bo at msn.com> on 2003.02.06 at 06:54:29(9933) Dear Friends, I can only hope and WISH that the story on the stolen Cycads from Fairchild Trop. Garden last year eventually ends up as well as this one did! I do NOT want to state more than I have heard, and also do not want to perpetuate rumors, so an update from the source perhaps would be in order. When I last visited Farichild Gardens last year Sept., I was amazed to hear the size of the plants stolen, and that the police were not too interested in tracing mere stolen plants. I was also struck by the adverts. for the HUGE Cycad auction and sale on the other coast (CA.?) which was scheduled for just AFTER the theft had occurred, and wondered if anyone had reports as to if perhaps these irreplaceable and readily recognizable plants had turned up at the sale???? I am still so distressed at the Fairchild Garden`s great loss of these irreplaceable treasures that gave so much pleasure to myself and countless visitors over the years, not even taking into account the pain that their loss brought to their curator and other garden staff members and workers who had loving cared for them. I do hope that there may be some news of closure/recovery in the near future?? The problem may be getting worse, but these VERY distinctive and rare plants can NOT be hidden, there obviously is a market for stolen plants which CAN be stopped with due vigilance and care of the plant lovers amongst us. Perhaps we can put a BIG crimp into any future thefts that may occur, and put one or more of the people responsible for stealing these irreplaceable treasures AND receiving stolen goods in jail. Julius Boos +More WPB, FLORIDA >>QBG A sort of happy ending from the director of Quail Botanical Gardens in Encinitas, CA: An anonymous caller left a message on QBG's general voice mail box stating they thought they knew where the cycads stolen from the Gardens the weekend before last were located. The caller (male) then proceeded to give detailed directions to two locations. One was on Twin Oaks Valley Road north of Twin Oaks Crest the second location was about 1/4 mile west of the 15 on the road to San Louis Downs. Today QBG staff followed up on these leads and were met by four San Diego County Sheriff's Department officers at the two sites. Fifteen plants were recovered at the first site in a ditch along the road. The remaining six plants were recovered at the second site amongst discarded debris including a long dead dog. While the plants have suffered from this experience, staff are encouraged that all can with time and care survive. While this is not certain and the process may take over a year we are extremely pleased that all 21 stolen plants have been returned to QBG. While increased security measures were implemented from the time of theft we are still evaluating what long term measures will be most effective in deterring any future thefts. Conversations I have had since the theft with other public garden directors and collection managers who are responsible for the care and display of rare cycads does point to a common vulnerability. I was surprised as to how many institutions have lost these plants to theft and believe the problem is getting worse. I wish to thank all the many people who responded with well wishes and also the potential leads. The community of private cycad enthusiasts and conservationists have helped a great deal in getting the word out. I also wish to thank the media for giving this theft the profile they did which may very well have contributed to recovering the plants. The detective on this case believes the plants ended up being "too hot" and that's why they were dumped. The Union and NC Times both will run stories tomorrow and will have photos of the plants as they returned to the Gardens. The Sheriff's Department personnel were all extremely helpful and will continue the investigation to hopefully uncover the perpetrators. Robert Kopfstein even made a trip to Rosarito to visit a nursery where he knew stolen cycads had been seen in the past. I'm sure it is appreciated as to how this theft impacted the staff and volunteers who have worked so hard to establish these plants in a conservation role. While no one ever verbalized it, there was little hope that we would ever see these plants again. Feelings are very high at this time but in no way a distraction to our resolve to protect what we have. Julian Julian Duval Executive Director Quail Botanical Gardens

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