September 23, 2003

Rare Venus flytrap plants stolen from Horry County Wildlife Heritage Preserve

The S.C. Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division and Wildlife Diversity Section are investigating the theft of approximately 100 native Venus flytrap plants from Lewis Ocean Bay Heritage Preserve in Horry County.

“Last week, approximately 100 plants were found to be missing from the 9300 acre Lewis Ocean Bay preserve, located north of Highway 501 between Myrtle Beach and Conway,” according to Jamie Dozier a Wildlife Diversity Section biologist with the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

The apparent “plant poaching” occurred on at least two sites within the preserve, Dozier said. Both sites are part of an ongoing research project being conducted by Dr. James O. Luken from Coastal Carolina University.

“Lewis Ocean Bay preserve is home to the largest population of naturally occurring Venus flytrap plants in the state,” Dozier explained. “Large expanses of bay habitat on the preserve support at least 15 known populations. Venus flytraps are increasingly rare and a plant species of special concern.”

Naturally occurring plant populations are also found on the Cartwheel Bay Heritage Preserve in northwest Horry County; however, plant collecting and habitat destruction pose a threat to the survival of the species, Dozier said. “The Venus flytrap is of special concern to us in the Carolina’s. Worldwide, the Venus flytrap is only native within a 100-mile radius of Wilmington, N.C.”

Theft or destruction of the Venus flytrap on Heritage Trust property is a violation of DNR regulations, according to Horry County Natural Resources Enforcement Officer, Sgt. Stan Woodle. “Any person convicted of abuse or destruction of DNR owned land or property could be charged up to $455 for each violation. Anyone with information on this case is urged to call the DNR, Operation Game Thief and Coast Watch Hotline at 1-800-922-5431. A reward is offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible.”

Nursery or greenhouse raised Venus flytraps are legally sold at roadside produce and garden stands and some home improvement stores. However, the origin of the plant is sometimes questionable. Before purchasing a Venus flytrap from your local vendor, Dozier encourages the consumer to verify the plants origin to ensure that it’s a greenhouse-raised plant and was not illegally collected in the wild.