[CPProt.net] UK: RARE PLANTS STOLEN FROM BOTANIC GARDEN

[MSN CPPnet (Ton Cremers)]

RARE PLANTS STOLEN FROM BOTANIC GARDEN
By Gavin Foster

HREE rare plants have been taken from Ventnor Botanic Garden in a theft that
has left staff there seething.
Two palms and a fern specially imported from Tasmania and South Africa for
the new Southern Hemisphere Garden have been stolen before the attraction
has even opened.
Curator Simon Goodenough said the plants would have been stolen by — or on
behalf of — affluent home-owners with large gardens.
But a surprise could be in store for the culprits. The two tree palms,
together worth £700, have been fitted with microchips so that if spotted,
the trees can easily be confirmed as those belonging to Ventnor Botanic
Garden.
Mr Goodenough said: "These thieves are scum and using modern technology, we
hope to catch them.
"The garden has been funded by public money and our own garden's friends
society.
"This theft is a slap in the face to all of those who have worked so hard to
bring it about."
The two Tasmanian tree ferns stood 8ft high and would have weighed several
hundredweight, requiring at least two people to dig them out and carry them
away, almost certainly in a vehicle.
They are easily capable of outliving the thieves and can grow to 30ft.
The South African palm is already 4ft tall and would also grow considerably
taller.
"We have informed the police and just hope they hear from someone who
notices their neighbour has suddenly acquired some large and exotic new
plants," Mr Goodenough said.
The new Southern Hemisphere garden is due to open shortly and be officially
launched later by an as yet unnamed senior government figure.
22 July 2005

http://www.iwcp.co.uk/