A Chinese national has been sentenced to one year in prison after attempting to smuggle more than 2,000 live queen garden ants out of Kenya, highlighting growing concerns over illegal wildlife trade.
Zhang Kequn was also fined one million Kenyan shillings after being found guilty of unlawfully dealing in protected wildlife species. Delivering the ruling in Nairobi, Judge Irene Gichobi criticised the accused for failing to show remorse and questioned his honesty throughout the trial.
Zhang was arrested at Nairobi’s main international airport while preparing to board a flight to China with the ants concealed in his luggage. Authorities later revealed that the insects are highly sought after by collectors in Europe and Asia, where individual queen ants can fetch up to $220.
The court stressed the need for tougher penalties to discourage the rising trend of trafficking lesser-known wildlife species. Judge Gichobi warned that the illegal trade in such large quantities of ants could have serious ecological consequences.
After completing his prison term, Zhang is expected to be deported to China. He has been given 14 days to appeal the ruling, with his legal team indicating plans to challenge the decision.
Investigations revealed that Zhang allegedly purchased the ants from a Kenyan supplier, Charles Mwangi, who is also facing charges in connection with the case and is currently out on bail.
The incident adds to a growing list of similar offences. In a previous case last year, a Kenyan court handed jail terms or fines to four individuals — including two Europeans and an Asian national — for attempting to smuggle thousands of queen ants out of the country.
Authorities say the increasing demand for exotic insects in international markets is fueling illegal activities, raising alarm over the potential environmental impact of removing key species from their natural habitats.