Two Belgian teenagers have found themselves in serious trouble after attempting to smuggle 5,000 live queen ants out of Kenya. Lornoy David and Seppe Lodewijckx, both 19, were caught at a guest house in Nakuru County, an area known for its national parks. They now face a choice: spend 12 months in prison or pay a hefty fine of $7,700.
The Kenyan authorities revealed that these ants were intended for markets in Europe and Asia, highlighting a growing trend in the trafficking of lesser-known wildlife species. The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) identified one of the species involved as messor cephalotes, a large, red harvester ant native to East Africa.
In court, the teenagers claimed they were just hobbyists collecting ants. However, evidence from David’s phone told a different story. He was linked to a group called "Ant Gang" and had previously purchased 2,500 queen ants for $200. The magistrate, Njeri Thuku, pointed out that the quantity of ants they had was far beyond what could be considered a hobby. She noted that there is a significant shortage of these ants online, further questioning their motives.
The case drew attention not only for the unusual nature of the smuggling attempt but also for its implications on wildlife conservation. The magistrate stated that the 5,400 ants could fetch over €800,000 (around $900,000) in international markets, underscoring the potential profits involved in such illegal trades.
In a related case, two other individuals—a Vietnamese man and a Kenyan—were also charged with attempting to smuggle over 400 ants. All four appeared in front of the same magistrate and pleaded guilty to violating wildlife conservation laws.
The KWS emphasized the seriousness of the crime, stating that the illegal trade of wildlife, even at the level of ants, poses a risk to Kenya’s biodiversity. KWS Director General Erustus Kanga made it clear that Kenya is committed to protecting its natural resources and will take action against anyone involved in wildlife trafficking, regardless of the species involved.