In a groundbreaking case in Kenya, four men, including two Belgian teenagers, were charged with wildlife piracy for smuggling 5,000 live ants of the Messor Cephalotes species. The Kenya Wildlife Service highlighted this incident as a notable shift from the trafficking of large mammals to lesser-known species critical for ecosystems. The ants were packed in modified tubes to ensure their survival and smuggling was likely intended for high-value exotic pet markets in Europe and Asia. The suspects, who pleaded guilty, claimed their intent was innocent, indicating a rising trend of illegal trafficking operations in lesser-known wildlife.
Kenya Wildlife Service described the case of ant smuggling as a shift in trafficking trends from large mammals to lesser-known, ecologically critical species.
The two Belgian teenagers claimed in court they were collecting the ants 'for fun' and did not realize their actions were illegal.
The KWS stated the ants were valued at 1 million shillings and were intended for high-value exotic pet markets in Europe and Asia.
The method of transporting the ants, using modified tubes, showed that the operation was premeditated and well-executed to evade security.
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