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Teenagers Charged with Wildlife Piracy in Kenya Amidst Growing Trafficking Concerns
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Two Belgian teenagers were formally charged on Tuesday with wildlife piracy after authorities discovered them in possession of thousands of ants, a situation reflecting the increasing trend of trafficking lesser-known species in Kenya.
Lornoy David and Seppe Lodewijckx, both 19 years old, were apprehended on April 5 while staying at a guest house in Nakuru County, a region known for its national parks. During their court appearance in Nairobi, the young men appeared distressed and were consoled by family members as they explained to the magistrate that they had been collecting the ants for recreational purposes and were unaware that their actions were illegal.
In a related case, local resident Dennis Ng’ang’a and Vietnamese national Duh Hung Nguyen faced charges for illegally trafficking a smaller quantity of 400 ants. The circumstances surrounding their arrest unfolded in the same courtroom where the two teenagers were charged.
The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) issued a statement indicating that all four individuals were engaged in the smuggling of ants intended for markets across Europe and Asia. Among the species involved is the messor cephalotes, a notable red harvester ant indigenous to East Africa.
KWS emphasized that the unauthorized export of these ants not only violates Kenya’s sovereignty over its biological resources but also deprives local communities, as well as research institutions, of potential ecological and economic advantages.
Historically, Kenya has combat trafficking primarily targeting large and more recognizable wildlife, including elephants, rhinos, and pangolins. However, current developments signal a pivot in trafficking trends, moving from well-known majestic mammals to ecologically significant but lesser-known species, according to KWS.
The Belgian teenagers were found with 5,000 ants, meticulously packed in 2,244 test tubes, which were cushioned with cotton wool to enable the insects to survive extended periods. In contrast, the two other men were discovered with the smaller cache of 400 ants within their residences in Nairobi.
Authorities in Kenya assessed the street value of the seized ants at approximately 1 million shillings ($7,700), though market prices vary substantially by species and demand.
Philip Muruthi, Vice President of Conservation at the Africa Wildlife Foundation in Nairobi, highlighted the critical ecological roles ants play ranging from enriching soil quality to supporting plant germination. He stated that healthy ecosystems, such as the Ngong Forest, greatly depend on the interconnected relationships among various organisms, from bacteria to larger wildlife.
Muruthi voiced concerns about the implications of trafficking species, warning that it could contribute to the spread of diseases to agricultural sectors in the importing countries. He stressed the importance of regulated trade to protect Kenya’s natural resources from exploitation.
“Even if there is trade, it should be regulated and nobody should be taking our resources just like that,” he remarked, underscoring the need for a more responsible approach towards wildlife trade.
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