Overview
- Gardeners discovered the missing tuber during a routine check on October 8, and the botanical garden filed a theft report two days later.
- Police say the theft likely occurred between September 22 and October 8, and investigators have not identified suspects.
- Staff believe the perpetrators dug up and removed the 20–30 kilogram tuber from its container and refilled the spot with substrate.
- The city confirms there was no video surveillance or other special protection for the specimen inside the plant house.
- Authorities warn the plant could die without specialist handling, while the public is urged to provide tips as the locally famous bloom—last seen in 2018 and 2021—remains missing.