In April, Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officers discovered over 5,000 smuggled ants in a guesthouse, intended for exotic pet markets by two Belgian teenagers who pleaded guilty to wildlife piracy. This incident highlights a growing trend in the trafficking of less conspicuous species, shifting focus from large mammals to ecologically important insects. Experts warn that the booming trade in exotic ants poses significant biodiversity risks, as their removal from ecosystems could have damaging ecological consequences in Kenya.
