A court in Kenya has fined four individuals $7,700 each after they were found guilty of attempting to smuggle thousands of ants out of the country.
Correspondent reports that wildlife experts see the case as an indication of a growing shift in biopiracy — moving away from high-profile animals such as elephants towards lesser-known species.
The four — two Belgian teenagers, a Vietnamese national, and one Kenyan—were arrested on 5 April while trying to traffic around 5,440 giant African harvester ant queens.
Prosecutors in Kenya estimated the value of the ants at roughly 1.2 million Kenyan shillings (around $9,300), though experts say the insects could have fetched up to $1 million on the European market.
In Europe, ant enthusiasts often keep colonies in large transparent containers called formicariums to study their communal behaviour.
Magistrate Njeri Thuku, who presided over the case, said all four pleaded guilty and must either pay the fine or serve 12 months in prison.
(NAN)