Kenyan officials have successfully busted a major wildlife trafficking scheme that involved the attempted illegal transport of around 5,000 live queen ants, which includes the uncommon Messor Cephalotes species, commonly referred to as the Giant African Harvester Ant.
This week, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) announced that these ants were intended for exotic pet markets across Europe and Asia. According to dealers in the United Kingdom, the value of the smuggled ants can reach up to £170 ($220) each.
“Investigations revealed that the test tubes had been designed to sustain the ants for up to two months and evade airport security detection,” the KWS said in a statement. The organization called the incident “premeditated.”
Four suspects – two Belgians, one Vietnamese, and one Kenyan, were arrested this week and have admitted guilt to charges related to the illegal possession and trafficking of live wildlife. They are presently in custody and are set to be sentenced on April 23.
The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has released images of the seized items, which depict numerous containers filled with cotton wool, with each container housing two or three ants.
“This unprecedented case signals a shift in trafficking trends – from iconic large mammals to lesser-known yet ecologically critical species,” the KWS said in a statement.
Messor cephalotes is a monogynous species of ant, with colonies that can comprise as many as 5,000 workers. Their primary source of nutrition is seeds, which they collect and store in their nests, playing a crucial role in the ecosystem by aiding in seed dispersal and improving soil structure. The queen generally measures between 22 and 25 mm in length.
According to Pat Stanchev, the general manager of the insect-trading platform Best Ants UK, exotic ants attractiveness as pets is attributed to their large size and striking appearance.
