Two teenagers from Belgium, who were caught with thousands of ants valued at $9,200 and allegedly intended for European and Asian markets, are awaiting sentencing in Kenya. A magistrate, Njeri Thuku, announced on Wednesday that she would deliberate on the environmental and psychological impact of the case before issuing a verdict on May 7.
The Belgian teens in question, Lornoy David and Seppe Lodewijckx, both aged 19, were apprehended on April 5 at a guest house with 5,000 ants in their possession. Subsequently, they faced charges on April 15 for breaching wildlife conservation laws. The teens claimed in court that they were unaware of the legal implications and were simply engaging in what they thought was a harmless activity.
The Kenya Wildlife Service highlighted the case as indicative of a “shift in trafficking trends,” noting that attention has moved from larger, more iconic mammals to less known but ecologically vital species. In the past, Kenya has combated the illegal trade of body parts from larger wildlife such as elephants, rhinos, and pangolins.
The Belgian duo entered the country on a tourist visa and stayed in Naivasha, a town frequented by tourists due to its wildlife parks and lakes. Their lawyer, Halima Nyakinyua Magairo, expressed her hope that the Belgian embassy in Kenya would provide further assistance during the legal proceedings, emphasizing that her clients were unaware of their actions being illegal.
In a related incident, Kenyan Dennis Ng’ang’a and Vietnamese Duh Hung Nguyen were also charged after authorities discovered 400 ants in their Nairobi apartment. The Kenya Wildlife Service alleged that all four individuals were involved in the trade, aiming to export the ants to Europe and Asia. The species of ant in question, messor cephalotes, is a notable large and red-colored harvester ant native to East Africa, often sought after by collectors who observe their colony behaviors.
Online platforms in Europe reportedly list several ant species for sale at a wide range of prices. According to Kenya Wildlife Service’s valuation, the 5,400 ants found with the accused individuals carry a worth of 1.2 million Kenyan shillings (equivalent to $9,200).