A Kenyan court has sentenced Chinese national Zhang Kequn to a fine of 1 million shillings and 12 months in prison for attempting to smuggle over 2,200 live garden ants out of Kenya.
Zhang was arrested at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport after authorities discovered the insects hidden in his luggage. Though he initially denied the charges, he later pleaded guilty—while signaling plans to appeal the ruling.
Presiding magistrate Irene Gichobi said the tough sentence was necessary to deter the rising trend of ant trafficking, a lesser-known but growing form of wildlife crime.
Investigations revealed the ants were likely destined for collectors abroad, particularly in China, where they are kept in specialized habitats known as formicariums. Authorities warn that such large-scale harvesting threatens ecosystems and signals a shift from traditional poaching of animals like elephants to smaller, overlooked species.
The case also implicates Kenyan suspect Charles Mwangi, accused of supplying the ants. He has denied the charges and remains on bail as his trial continues.
The ruling underscores Kenya’s intensifying crackdown on wildlife smuggling and its commitment to protecting biodiversity from exploitation.
