Authorities in Kenya have arrested a Chinese national accused of trying to smuggle more than 2,000 queen ants out of the country through Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
The suspect, Zhang Kequn, was stopped by security officers at the airport in Nairobi after officials discovered a large number of live ants hidden inside his luggage. Investigators said the ants were carefully packed in test tubes, while others were concealed inside rolls of tissue paper.
According to prosecutors, authorities found 1,948 queen ants packed in specialized test tubes and another 300 ants hidden elsewhere in the luggage. The insects were identified as Messor cephalotes, a species that plays an important role in maintaining soil health and biodiversity.
Officials from the Kenya Wildlife Service said the suspect may be linked to a larger ant-trafficking network that was previously uncovered in the country. They believe the ants were intended for exotic pet collectors in Europe and Asia, where rare insects are sometimes kept as hobby pets.
Wildlife authorities explained that trading such species is strictly regulated under international biodiversity agreements. Removing them from their natural environment could harm ecosystems because these ants contribute to soil aeration and help maintain ecological balance.
The court has allowed investigators to hold Zhang Kequn for several days while they examine his electronic devices and continue their investigation. Officials say more arrests could follow as they look into possible illegal harvesting of ants in other parts of Kenya.
This is not the first case of its kind. In 2025, a Kenyan court sentenced four men—including two from Belgium—to prison or fines after they attempted to smuggle thousands of queen ants out of the country.
The Kenya Wildlife Service says the case highlights the growing global demand for rare insects and the importance of protecting wildlife of all sizes—not only large animals like lions and elephants but also smaller species that are vital to the ecosystem
