Four men, including two Belgian nationals, a Vietnamese citizen, and a Kenyan accomplice, have pleaded guilty to wildlife trafficking charges after being caught attempting to smuggle thousands of live queen ants out of Kenya. The case, currently before the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport Court, is being hailed as a landmark victory against biopiracy by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS).
Authorities intercepted over 5,000 queen ants—primarily from the prized Messor Cephalotes species, commonly known as the Giant African Harvester Ant—hidden inside specially modified test tubes and syringes filled with cotton wool. These makeshift containers were designed to keep the ants alive for up to two months and avoid detection during international transit.
According to court documents, the insects—sourced illegally from Kenya’s natural habitats—were packed into more than 2,000 containers with a black-market value of over one million Kenyan shillings (about $7,800). A single ant queen of this species can reportedly sell for up to $200 in the exotic pet trade in Europe and Asia.
“This case signals a worrying trend—trafficking is shifting from large mammals to ecologically important but lesser-known species,” KWS said in a statement. The agency emphasized that the attempted export of native species without proper licensing or benefit-sharing agreements violates both national law and international biodiversity treaties.
The accused smugglers admitted guilt during their court appearance on April 15 and will remain in custody until their sentencing on April 23. In their defense, one of the Belgian nationals told the court, “We did not come here to break any laws. By accident and stupidity, we did.”
The Giant African Harvester Ant, native to Kenya, Ethiopia, and Tanzania, is highly sought after by exotic pet collectors for its striking appearance and colony-building behavior. While some online retailers describe the species as a dream pet for ant enthusiasts, its trade is strictly regulated in Kenya due to ecological and ethical concerns.
Wildlife officials see this case as a crucial step forward in addressing biopiracy and protecting Kenya’s rich biodiversity.