Two Belgians convicted of ants smuggling

The four suspects – two nineteen Belgians, Vietnamese and Kenyan citizen – were arrested in April. About 5,000 ants were found in the guest house in Naivaša, where they lived.

They admitted their guilt and claimed to have picked out particularly coveted ants because they were their hobby, and they didn’t think it was illegal.

However, the court announced on Wednesday that it was that type of ants that was very valuable, and they had not chosen a few of them, but thousands.

Insects are believed to be transported to exotic pet stores in Europe and Asia.

Smuggling has been tried to remove messages of the Messor Cephalotes species, and collectors in the United Kingdom can pay as much as £ 170 for one ant (almost 200 euros).

5,000 ants were found in the Belgians and 300 in the Vietnamese and Kenya resident.

The Kenya Animal Protection Service, which is usually protected by larger animals such as lions and elephants, argue that this is an extremely important case. This case has revealed that the nature of the smuggling is changing and trying not only the popular species of mammals, but also less well -known species that are important for ecological balance.

The Belgians came to Kenya with tourist visas and stayed in Naivaša, where national parks and lakes are attracted to tourists.

According to Kenya Animal Protection Service, the demand for rare insect species has been noted.

In Kenya, the ants are protected by international biodiversity contracts and are subject to strict laws.