Historic Ruling: Biopiracy Crackdown on Giant Ant Trafficking

In a groundbreaking case, a Kenyan court has fined four individuals $7,700 each for attempting to smuggle a massive number of African harvester ants out of the country. This case, as wildlife experts point out, marks a notable shift in biopiracy from iconic animals like elephants to lesser-known species.

The perpetrators, including two Belgian teenagers, a Vietnamese man, and a Kenyan national, were apprehended on April 5. They were accused of trying to illegally export roughly 5,440 giant African harvester ant queens worth approximately 1.2 million Kenyan shillings ($9,300). However, with European markets valuing such specimens highly, the trove could have fetched up to $1 million had it reached its intended destination.

Magistrate Njeri Thuku ordered the defendants, who pled guilty, to either pay the fine or serve a 12-month jail sentence. The case underscores the growing value placed on ant colonies in Europe where enthusiasts observe their cooperative behavior in specialized containers known as formicariums.

(With inputs from agencies.)