In a significant legal case in Kenya, two Belgian teenagers, Lornoy David and Seppe Lodewijckx, both 19 years old, were found guilty of violating wildlife conservation laws after being discovered with 5,000 live ants. The incident occurred on April 5, 2023, at a guest house in Nakuru County, known for its rich biodiversity. The teens were arrested and subsequently charged on April 15, 2023. They were given the option to either pay a fine of $7,700 or serve a minimum of 12 months in prison for their offenses.
The judge, Magistrate Njeri Thuku, presiding over the case at Kenya's main airport on May 7, 2025, underscored the gravity of the situation, stating that the teenagers claimed they were merely collecting ants as a hobby. However, she emphasized that the particular species of ants they were trafficking, including the messor cephalotes, is valuable and rare, thus elevating their actions beyond amateur collecting to that of organized trafficking. Thuku noted that there is a growing demand, especially online, for such species, making the teenagers’ actions a serious infraction.
The penalties reflect Kenya's stringent wildlife conservation laws aimed at protecting both flora and fauna. The Kenyan Wildlife Service (KWS) highlighted that the illegal exportation of these ants undermines the country’s sovereignty over its biodiversity. KWS further warned that such actions deprive local communities and research institutions of potential ecological and economic benefits associated with a healthy ecosystem.
In a related case, two other individuals were fined $7,700 each for being in possession of 400 ants. Duh Hung Nguyen, a Vietnamese national, was reported to have been sent to Kenya for the purpose of collecting the ants, unaware that the activity was illegal. His Kenyan accomplice, Dennis Ng’ang’а, defended himself by stating that he believed it was legal since ants are commonly sold and consumed locally. Magistrate Thuku remarked that their actions represented a more extensive and elaborate trafficking scheme.
Experts in Kenya have raised alarms over an emerging trend of trafficking lesser-known wildlife species, warning that the illegal trade can have disastrous ecological consequences. Shadrack Muya, an entomologist from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, stressed the importance of garden ants in maintaining ecosystem balance, including soil aeration and seed dispersion. He cautioned that removing these ants from their natural habitat could lead to ecological disturbances and the failure of the ants to adapt to new environments if they survive the initial transition.
This case exemplifies the escalating issues of wildlife trafficking and the need for strict adherence to conservation laws. It reveals not only the complexities of wildlife conservation in a globalized economy but also the challenges posed by illegal trades of lesser-known species. The legal repercussions faced by the Belgian teenagers serve as a reminder of the significant crimes associated with wildlife trafficking, emphasizing the importance of preserving biodiversity for local and global communities alike.
