Bonsai Theft is not a popular subject, and is not widely discussed, but
like many other
societal problems is a reality. It is frustrating when your bonsai is
stolen, and it doesn't
help not being able to do anything about it, nor to go to a centralized
location or web
site to report the theft or look for help. To assist with this issue,
the American Bonsai
Society has created a "Stolen Bonsai Registry"(SBR) which is on the ABS
website.
http://www.absbonsai.org

The Registry will provide a web based, accessible listing of bonsai that
have been stolen
We hope this registry becomes one of the first places people look when
questions arise
concerning a bonsai which you may be offered to purchase. The registry
will be available
to the public as will as the bonsai community with visual information on
trees which have
been taken from their owners. While there are no sure ways to find and
return stolen
bonsai, the registry is one pro-active method to assist buyers and
sellers by providing
data on known stolen bonsai. While we hope you never need to use the
Register to list
your loss, consider periodically visiting the SBR to become familiar
with what is listed.
It provides a resource should you ever observe in an exhibit or be
offered a bonsai of
significant value and may for whatever reason have questions about its
source and
ownership. We ask also that you spread the word about the SBR. Use your
newsletters,
club meetings, word of mouth and other communication channels to get the
word out.

Dennis Howke
ABS

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