NAIROBI – A Kenyan court has fined four men $7,700 (USD) each for attempting to illegally export thousands of ants from the country. The case highlights a concerning shift in wildlife trafficking, with lesser-known species increasingly targeted alongside iconic animals like elephants, according to wildlife experts.
Authorities apprehended two Belgian teenagers, a Vietnamese man, and a Kenyan national on April 5th. They were charged with attempting to smuggle approximately 5,440 giant African harvester ant queens. Kenyan prosecutors estimated the value of the ants at around 1.2 million Kenyan shillings (approximately $9,300 USD).
However, experts suggest the potential retail value of the ant haul could have been significantly higher, potentially reaching $1 million (USD) on the European market. Ant-keeping is a growing hobby in Europe, where enthusiasts maintain ant colonies in formicariums (specialized transparent enclosures) to study their complex social behaviors.
The four individuals pleaded guilty to the charges. Magistrate Njeri Thuku imposed a fine of $7,700 (USD) on each, with a sentence of 12 months imprisonment in default of payment.
