A Kenyan court has fined Zhang Kequn KSh1 million or sentenced him to one year in prison after he was found guilty of attempting to smuggle live ants out of the country.
The ruling, delivered at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport law courts, followed his arrest by security officers who discovered the insects carefully packed in containers concealed in his luggage. Authorities said the ants, believed to be of high value in the international exotic pet and research markets, were being illegally exported without the necessary permits.
Prosecutors told the court that the act violated Kenya’s strict wildlife protection laws, which safeguard not only large animals but also smaller species that play a critical role in ecosystems. The case highlighted growing concerns over the illegal trade in lesser-known wildlife, which experts say is increasingly becoming lucrative.
Investigations revealed that the ants had been packaged in a way designed to keep them alive during transit, suggesting a well-planned operation. However, the attempt was thwarted before the consignment could leave the country.
In delivering the sentence, the court emphasized the importance of protecting Kenya’s biodiversity and warned that offenders would face stiff penalties regardless of the species involved.
The suspect was unable to pay the fine immediately and will serve the jail term. Authorities have since reiterated their commitment to cracking down on wildlife trafficking in all its forms, including the illegal export of insects.