Fwd: Stolen cycads are returned to QBG

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• Subject: [GWL] Fwd: Stolen cycads are returned to QBG
• From: Nan Sterman n*@plantsoup.com
• Date: Mon, 3 Feb 2003 21:08:11 -0800
• List-archive: <http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/private/gardenwriters/>

   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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