Slug-eating treasure stolen
2002-04-17 17:38
Linz - A unique and priceless plant which eats slugs has been stolen in Austria, the mass circulation Kronen Zeitung said on Wednesday.
The plant had been a world sensation, said the report. Slugs
were the scourge of millions of vegetable gardens, and the plant
possibly the answer to them.
The world's only example of Sarracenia arionescens had been
bred by researchers in the Netherlands. Last weekend it was on show at the Agrarium near Wels in northern Austria.
But overnight, thieves broke in and stole the priceless plant.
"If we don't get it back we'll be ruined," said Agrarium chief
Erich Preymann. "Sarracenia was the star of the exhibition. I
mortgaged my firm for it."
The researchers say the plant lures slugs into the interior of
its tube-shaped leaves. They get stuck there, and are slowly
digested.
At present, work was going on to see whether sarracenia could be mass-produced.
"The plant's got great scientific value. If the goal is achieved of sarracenia luring and destroying slugs in gardens, billions will be at stake economically," said Preymann.
His worst fear was that the theft had been economic espionage.
He was even prepared to pay a ransom, he said.
The plant would be worthless to an ordinary thief, he pointed
out. Without extensive laboratory care it was certain to die.
- Sapa-DPA
- SAPA