A Kenyan court has sentenced four men to one year in prison or a fine of $7,700 (approx. £5,800) each for attempting to smuggle thousands of live ants out of the country.
The four two Belgian nationals, a Vietnamese national, and a Kenyan , were arrested last month at a guest house in Naivasha, western Kenya, in possession of 5,000 ants, including giant African harvester ants, a species highly valued in exotic pet markets.
While pleading guilty, the accused claimed they were collecting the ants as a hobby, unaware that it was illegal. However, the court rejected this defense, noting the large quantity and high value of the specific species involved.
Each of the men Lornoy David and Seppe Lodewijckx (both 19 and Belgian), Duh Hung Nguyen (Vietnamese), and Dennis Ng’ang’a (Kenyan) received the same sentence. The Belgians were found with 5,000 ants, while Nguyen and Ng’ang’a were caught with 300.
The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) hailed the ruling as a “landmark case”, warning of a shifting trend in wildlife trafficking from high-profile animals like elephants and lions to lesser-known but ecologically vital species such as insects.
“This case highlights a disturbing shift in trafficking patterns from iconic mammals to lesser-known species that are vital to ecological balance,” KWS said in a statement.
The KWS further warned that demand for rare insect species is rising in Europe and Asia, where some UK dealers reportedly value African harvester ants at up to £170 ($220) each.
Under international biodiversity treaties, Kenya tightly regulates the trade of these ants, and unauthorized export is a criminal offense.
BBC