Teens charged with smuggling 5,000 ants in Kenya

Two Belgian teenagers pleaded guilty in Kenya to illegally possessing and attempting to smuggle over 5,000 live queen ants, which authorities say were destined for exotic pet markets in Europe and Asia. The teens, who claimed they were unaware their actions were illegal, were arrested in Nakuru county after being found with the ants packed in over 2,200 test tubes. In a related case, a Vietnamese and a Kenyan man were also charged with illegally possessing 400 ants. Kenyan authorities described these cases as part of a growing trend of trafficking lesser-known but ecologically significant species, shifting focus from iconic large mammals to insects like the Messor cephalotes harvester ant. The Kenya Wildlife Service warned that such illegal exports undermine the country's biodiversity and deprive local communities and researchers of ecological and economic benefits. The case is being viewed as a landmark in Kenya's efforts to combat wildlife trafficking beyond traditional targets.