A Kenyan court has fined four individuals $7,700 each after convicting them of attempting to illegally export thousands of ants, a species vital to the country’s environment. The case has drawn attention to the growing threat of biopiracy involving lesser-known species.
The four—two Belgian youths, a Vietnamese national, and a Kenyan—were arrested on April 5 in two separate incidents involving roughly 5,440 queen ants of the giant African harvester variety. These ants, essential to sustaining colonies, are highly sought after by hobbyists abroad who keep them in formicariums, transparent containers used to observe their social behavior.
The court heard that the insects could fetch up to €800,000 (approximately $900,000) in international markets, including parts of Europe, Asia, and North America. Queen ants are particularly prized because they are the only ones in a colony capable of reproduction, and their removal can disrupt entire ecosystems.
Magistrate Njeri Thuku found the group guilty of trading in live wildlife species, imposing fines with a 12-month jail alternative. All four had entered guilty pleas. The case has raised concerns about the potential involvement of wider trafficking networks.
According to the court, the Vietnamese citizen, Duh Heng Nguyen, was instructed to travel to Nairobi and collect the ants from Kenyan co-accused Dennis Nganga. The magistrate said the operation bore the characteristics of organized wildlife crime, likening Nguyen’s role to that of a drug mule.
Both Nguyen and Nganga claimed ignorance of the illegality of their actions.
The Belgian defendants, identified as Lornoy David and Seppe Lodewijckx, described themselves as hobbyists and said they were unaware their actions broke the law. Evidence from David’s phone showed he was part of a group called “Ant Gang” and had once purchased 2,500 queen ants for $200.
The magistrate noted there was no legitimate reason to possess such a large number of queen ants, stating, “This is beyond a hobby. If this involved a larger animal species, taking 5,000 females would be seen as an act of ecological destruction.”
Kenya Wildlife Service emphasized the importance of the species, Messor cephalotes, in maintaining healthy soil and ecological balance. Authorities intercepted the ants at Nairobi’s main airport, saying they were intended for the exotic pet market overseas, where a single colony can sell for up to €1,200.
The wildlife authority welcomed the verdict, stating it delivers a strong warning against illegal exploitation of biodiversity. “Whether it’s an ant or an elephant, we will not hesitate to act,” said the agency’s director.
While ant exports are allowed under Kenyan law, they are tightly regulated and the permit process is complex, experts noted.
