Belgian teenagers apprehended for possessing 5,000 smuggled ants as Kenya issues

On Tuesday, samples of garden ants hidden in syringes were displayed at the Law Courts of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, Kenya.

Two Belgian teenagers, Lornoy David and Seppe Lodewijckx, both 19, faced charges of wildlife trafficking after authorities discovered 5,000 ants packed in test tubes during their arrest on April 5. Kenyan officials indicated that this case reflects a growing trend in the trafficking of smaller, lesser-known species. During their court appearance, the teens appeared distressed and were consoled by family members present in the courtroom. They claimed to have collected the ants for enjoyment and were unaware of the legality surrounding their actions.

In a separate legal proceeding, Kenyan Dennis Ng'ang'a and Vietnamese Duh Hung Nguyen were charged with illegal trafficking as well, following their arrest for possessing 400 ants. The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) stated that the four individuals were implicated in the trafficking of ants to markets in Europe and Asia, specifically mentioning messor cephalotes, a striking red harvester ant species indigenous to East Africa. KWS emphasized that the illegal exportation of these ants not only infringes on Kenya's sovereignty over its biodiversity but also deprives local communities and research institutions of valuable ecological and economic opportunities. Historically, Kenya has focused on combating the trafficking of body parts from large wildlife, such as elephants and rhinos.

However, the cases against these four individuals indicate a "shift in trafficking trends — moving from iconic large mammals to lesser-known yet ecologically significant species," according to KWS. The Belgian nationals were apprehended in Nakuru County, an area featuring numerous national parks. The 5,000 ants were discovered in the guesthouse where they were staying, contained within 2,244 test tubes filled with cotton wool to ensure their survival for months. Meanwhile, Ng'ang'a and Nguyen were arrested in Nairobi, where they were found with 400 ants in their apartments. Authorities in Kenya have ascribed a value of 1 million shillings (approximately $7,700) to the ants, with prices varying widely based on species and market demand. Philip Muruthi, a conservation vice president at the Africa Wildlife Foundation in Nairobi, highlighted the crucial role ants play in enriching soil, aiding germination, and serving as nourishment for birds and other species.

"When observing a thriving forest, such as Ngong forest, it's easy to overlook the factors that maintain its health, from bacteria to ants and larger fauna," he noted. Muruthi cautioned against the risks of trafficking species and the potential for exporting diseases to the agriculture industries of importing nations. "Even if some trade occurs, it must be regulated, and no one should be allowed to exploit our resources without oversight," he asserted.