A Kenyan court has sentenced a Chinese passenger to a 1 million shilling (approximately $7,750) fine and 12 months in prison for attempting to smuggle live ants out of the country in his suitcase.
elchi reports that more than 2,200 live garden ants were found hidden in plastic containers in the luggage of Zhang Kequn, who was caught at Nairobi’s main international airport last month.
Initially denying the charges, Zhang later confessed to the crime.
“Punitive measures are necessary”
Presiding Judge Irene Gichobi drew attention to the recent increase in ant smuggling cases.
Gichobi emphasized the negative impact of collecting large quantities of ants on the ecological balance and stated that punitive measures are necessary to prevent such crimes.
It is reported that ants are purchased for high sums, especially by enthusiasts in countries like China who want to study the social structures of ant colonies.
A new path in biopiracy: Small species
Wildlife experts recalled that four people were given heavy fines in a similar case in Kenya last year.
According to experts, this shows that biopiracy has shifted from well-known products like ivory to smaller species that are vital to the ecosystem but attract less attention. The case of the Kenyan suspect accused of supplying the ants is ongoing. Zhang’s lawyer announced that they would appeal the decision.
Şayəstə