A Chinese national was caught smuggling more than 2,000 protected queen ants at Nairobi Airport. These ‘Giant African Harvester’ ants were being transported illegally to China. They are in demand as pets in Europe and Asia.
OfA surprising case has come to light at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, the capital of Nigeria. Here a Chinese national has been caught smuggling more than 2,000 live queen ants. During security checking at the airport, these ants were found in the luggage of a man named Zhang Keqiang, which he was planning to take to China. Let us tell you that under international biodiversity treaties, these ants have been kept in the list of protected organisms. Therefore, taking them from one country to another or trading them is illegal.
These are no ordinary ants
Kenya Wildlife Service had warned last year that the demand for these garden ants named ‘Messor cephalotes’ was increasing in Europe and Asia. According to reports, people are keeping them as pets. Investigating officers told the court that Zhang Keqiang may be part of a big ant smuggling gang. Last year also a similar racket was busted in Kenya.
The ants that were being smuggled are ‘Giant African harvester ants’. According to KWS, these are very important for the environment. Removing them from their natural home has a negative impact on soil health and biodiversity. The smugglers’ targets are wealthy people in Europe and Asia and markets for exotic pets.
How were 2000 ants hidden?
The government lawyer told the court that Zhang had hidden some ants in test tubes and some in rolls of tissue paper. 1,948 queen ants packed in special test tubes were found in his personal belongings. Additionally, 300 more live ants were hidden in three rolls of tissue paper. The investigation team has also sought permission to send Zhang’s phone and laptop for forensic examination.
big ant smuggling racket
Officials say that the scope of investigation will be extended to other cities of Kenya from where these ants are being caught. They expect more arrests. In May last year, two Belgians, a Vietnamese and a Kenyan national were caught smuggling thousands of live queen ants. A Kenyan court had sentenced him to one year in jail or a fine of 5,800 pounds (about Rs 6 lakh). This was the first major case involving ant trafficking in Kenya. The investigation team also told the court that Zhang was the main man of the same gang and during last year’s operation he had escaped using a fake passport.