Ant smuggling sting in Kenya exposes lucrative black market
Four men attempted to smuggle hundreds of rare Messor cephalotes ants out of Kenya. These insects are protected by international treaties, and collectors are willing to pay over $195 for a single ant on the black market.
What do you need to know?
- Four smugglers were detained in Kenya for trying to smuggle hundreds of Messor cephalotes ants, which are protected by international treaties.
- The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) reports that this is the first case of such large-scale bio-piracy in the country, indicating a worrying shift in the interests of smugglers.
- Messor cephalotes ants can reach up to 2 centimetres (cm) in length, and their price on the black market is over $195 each.
Four men—two Belgians, a Vietnamese, and a Kenyan—were arrested for attempting to smuggle hundreds of ants from Kenya. Their actions were uncovered by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS).
The ants were transported in specially modified vials and syringes, allowing them to survive for up to two months.
Why are Messor cephalotes ants so valuable?
Messor cephalotes ants, known as "giant African harvester ants," are highly sought after by collectors due to their large size and striking appearance. The queen of this species can reach up to 2.5 cm in length. On the black market, their price can reach £170 each, approximately $200. This makes them an attractive target for smugglers.
Photos of the illegal cargo released by KWS show hundreds of small test-tube containers filled with cotton, each containing two or three insects.
They smuggled ants. What's next for the detainees?
Kenyan authorities suspect the ants were destined for exotic animal markets in Europe and Asia. The verdicts for the four men are to be announced on Tuesday, Eastern Time. KWS emphasizes that trading these ants is strictly regulated.
The organization stressed that this case has shown a "worrying shift in trade patterns—from iconic mammals to lesser-known species crucial to ecological balance."
