Young men detained in Kenya with 5,000 ants

In Kenya’s Nakuru County, two young Belgian citizens were arrested on suspicion of illegally transporting natural resources, Euronews reported.

Law enforcement found 5,000 ants packed into small test tubes in their possession.

The young men claimed they had collected the insects just for fun and were unaware it was illegal. They were taken to court in Nairobi.

At the same time, two other men — citizens of Kenya and Vietnam — were also charged with ant smuggling in the same courtroom.

According to the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), the individuals were involved in illegally exporting insects to black markets in Asia and Europe.

“Illegal export of ants not only undermines Kenya’s sovereign rights over biodiversity but also deprives local communities and research institutions of potential ecological and economic benefits,” KWS said in a statement.

Previously, Kenya had primarily fought against the illegal trade of large wild animals such as elephants, rhinos, and pangolins.

However, recent cases suggest a shift in trafficking trends — now focusing on smaller, less conspicuous but ecologically important species. The confiscated ants from the Belgian youths were valued at approximately 7,000 euros.

Authorities stated the price of insects may vary depending on the species and market demand.

Philip Muruthi, vice president for conservation at the African Wildlife Foundation, said: “Ants enrich the soil, aid seed germination, and feed birds. If there is a market for such species, the trade must be regulated.

No one has the right to simply seize our natural resources.” All four suspects will remain in custody until the next court hearing, scheduled for April 23.

Ref: Young men detained in Kenya with 5,000 ants (zamin)