Kenyan police recently arrested four ant smugglers and seized thousands of ants—around 5,000—that were being illegally trafficked. The suspects had planned to sell these ants in Asia and Europe for approximately $1,000.
In Kenya, wildlife trafficking is a serious issue, often involving the illegal trade of elephant ivory, pangolin scales, and rhinoceros horns, which are sold for millions of dollars on the black market. However, the focus now appears to be shifting toward smaller, lesser-known species, such as ants.
The smugglers had carefully packed the ants in test tubes, using cotton to create a breathable environment that would allow the ants to survive for several months during transport.
The species in question is Messor cephalotes, also known as the Giant African Harvester Ant. Native to East Africa, it is the largest harvester ant species in the world, growing up to 25mm in length. These ants are considered exotic in regions like Europe and Asia.
According to sources, each ant can be sold for between $130 and $220. Buyers, often hobbyists and collectors, keep the ants in specially designed habitats called formicariums, where they observe the ants as they build colonies. People are increasingly keeping ants as pets, and they’re willing to pay a high price for rare species.
The Kenya Wildlife Service condemned the illegal trade, stating: “The illegal export of these ants not only undermines Kenya’s sovereign rights over its biodiversity but also deprives local communities and research institutions of potential ecological and economic benefits.”
