A Kenyan court in Nairobi sentenced Chinese citizen Zhang Kequn, who was caught at the international airport with more than 2,200 live ants, to 12 months in prison and a fine of 1 million Kenyan shillings.
1,948 ants belonging to the Messor cephalotes species, considered valuable among collectors, were identified from his luggage.
It is reported that the insects were placed in test tubes and were to be smuggled out secretly and later sent to China.
Zhang Kequn, who initially denied the charges, later admitted to them.
Judge Irene Gichobi emphasized that this sentence should serve as a severe punishment in the fight against ant smuggling.
Experts note that in recent years, smuggling is no longer limited to large animals but is also spreading to small species important for the ecosystem.
