US EditionTwo Belgian teenagers found with 5,000 ants in Kenya given $7,700 fine or 1-year prison sentence
- On April 5, two 19-year-old Belgian teenagers, Lornoy David and Seppe Lodewijckx, were detained in Naivasha, Kenya, after authorities discovered they were in possession of 5,000 ants at the accommodation where they were staying.
- They violated wildlife conservation laws by illegally possessing and trafficking live queen ants, including the valuable native species Messor cephalotes.
- Authorities reported that the ants were being trafficked to niche pet markets across Europe and Asia, highlighting a growing pattern of illegal trade involving lesser-known wildlife species.
- The teenagers pleaded guilty, claiming naivety and hobby collecting, and were fined $7,700 or given the option of a 12-month prison sentence, the maximum penalty.
- Kenya Wildlife Service stated the illegal export undermines Kenya's sovereign rights and deprives local communities of ecological and economic benefits from biodiversity.
141 Articles
141 Articles
The Conversation
Phys.orgInsect trafficking poses a risk to wildlife and human health
Rhino beetles are just one insect species being traded illegally. Lightboxx/ShutterstockFour men were recently arrested and fined for attempting to smuggle more than 5,000 ants out of Kenya. Aiming to sell them as part of the exotic pet trade, these ants were being stored in individual test tubes and syringes with small amounts of cotton wool for transportation. This unusual case highlights an important yet overlooked aspect of wildlife traffick…
Kenya expert warns of ecological disaster due to insect trafficking - teleSUR English
The case of the Belgian teenagers caught trafficking ants in Kenya has drawn attention to the illegal trade of lesser-known wildlife species. The two 19-year-olds, Lornoy David and Seppe Lodewijckx, were arrested on April 5 with 5,000 ants at a guest house in Nakuru County. They were charged on April 15 and given the choice of paying a $7,700 fine or serving 12 months in prison. Authorities say the ants were destined for European and Asian marke…
2 Belgian Teens Found With 5,000 Ants Given $7,700 Fine Or Year In Jail
Two Belgian teenagers found with 5,000 ants in Kenya were given a choice of paying a fine of $7,700 or serving 12 months in prison - the minimum penalty for the offense - for violating wildlife conservation laws.
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