A Nairobi court postponed the sentence on April 23rd of four men who pleaded guilty to attempting to smuggle hundreds of highly popular ants from Kenya in what conservation officials call a “landmark case” of biological activities.
The accused – two Belgians, Vietnamese citizens and Kenyans – have admitted to illegally attempting to export the African harvester ant (Messer Cephalotes), a rare species praised by exotic pet collectors. Some UK dealers place importance on one ant, up to 170 pounds ($220), and the commission is potentially worth tens of thousands of dollars.
Officials say insects are meticulously hidden by specially modified test tubes and syringes packed with cotton wool, allowing them to survive for up to two months. The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) described this method as “a computational attempt to bypass the security system” by disguising the contents of the container.
The man was arrested at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in a coordinated intelligence-driven business that includes KWS, Kenya Airport Police Force and other agencies. Their arrests are welcomed as a major breakthrough in efforts to stem the growth wave of wildlife crime targeting lesser-known species.
“This is the first time we’ve dealt with a biodynamic case of this size,” KWS spokesman Paul Udoto told the BBC. “It reflects the disturbing changes from iconic mammals like elephants, from ecologically important species like ants, from evil mammals like elephants.”
The court on Monday directed that three reports must be filed prior to the judgment: a pre-sentence report from a probation officer and an opinion of experts from the National Museum of Kenya (NMK) and the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). The case will be mentioned on April 23rd to confirm receipt of the document.
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Photos of seized ants released by KWS show rows of clear tubes containing two to three ants stacked for export. The exact number of insects involved is still being verified, but authorities have confirmed that the amount is substantial.
The giant African harvester ant is the largest of its species, growing at a maximum of 20mm, with Queens reaching 25mm. In Europe and Asia, collectors house ants in artificial habitats known as forMicariums and closely observe their colony-building behavior.
Pat Stanchev, general manager of Best Ali UK, UK based insect trade platform, said their “big and beautiful size” is particularly appealing to enthusiasts. Although his company does not trade in seeds, he acknowledged that illegal imports are occurring in the exotic pet market.
In Kenya, ants are protected under the international Convention on Biodiversity and their capture and trade are strictly regulated.
KWS says the prosecution will underline Kenya’s growing vigilance against unconventional wildlife crimes and send clear warnings to human traffickers.
“This incident represents a major milestone in our efforts to combat wildlife crime beyond the big game,” KWS said in a statement. “It affirms our commitment to protecting all biodiversity, big and small.”
