Hi-tech tag could save cycads

Scientists have developed a tiny device that will protect one of the most endangered plant species, cycads, from poachers.

Conservationists and electronics experts put their heads together at the University of Kent, in the UK.

The use of the technology has been proposed as part of planning to protect the 280million-year-old plant species by the SA National Biodiversity Institute.

"A radio frequency identification tag is placed within a tamper-proof case that can't be moved without destroying the transponder chip within the tag," the University of Kent said.

The team proposed that the tags be used along with satellite or cellular networks to relay immediate alerts to ranger stations when a plant is removed, and that drones be deployed for observation.

Secondary tags could be embedded in plants to help identify those stolen and later recovered.

The new technology could be the salvation of the plant. Today, nearly 40% of cycad species are threatened with extinction and are vulnerable to theft because they are rare, strong and beautiful.

Experts at the University of Kent say some cycad species have been poached so heavily that populations have "crashed from 10 000 to less than 400 individuals".

It is no coincidence that a South African institute has taken notice. This country is home to some of the most enchanting species of cycad.

In 2014, 24 cycads were stolen from Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens. According to the biodiversity institute the plants were part of the gardens' cycad living collection, which was the first collection of plants to be established at Kirstenbosch, which is more than 100 years old.