The international group was caught with 5,000 insects in Kenya, including rare Messor cephalotes, destined for pet markets abroad

A Kenyan court has sentenced four individuals to one year in prison or a fine of $7,700 each for attempting to illegally export thousands of live ants, including a rare species, the BBC reported on Wednesday.

The convicted individuals, two Belgian nationals, one Vietnamese, and a Kenyan, were apprehended last month in Naivasha, a town in western Kenya, where they were found in possession of approximately 5,000 queen ants. Among the species collected was Messor cephalotes, a rare variety also referred to as the Giant African Harvester Ant.

During the court proceedings, the accused pleaded guilty and claimed they were unaware that collecting the ants for hobbyist purposes was a criminal offense.

However, the presiding judge noted in Wednesday's ruling that the quantity and type of ants involved indicated a deliberate effort to exploit valuable wildlife, adding that the offenders were not simply in possession of a few specimens.

According to the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), the seized ants were reportedly intended for exotic pet markets in Europe and Asia. The smuggled ants, according to dealers in the UK, can be worth as much as Pound 170 ($220) apiece.

Commenting on the insects' popularity, Pat Stanchev, the general manager of the insect-trading website Best Ants UK, told the BBC that their appeal lies in their distinctive and beautiful appearance.

KWS revealed that the suspects had prepared test tubes capable of sustaining the ants for up to two months, specifically to bypass airport screening procedures. The organization described the operation as "premeditated" and called it a landmark in trafficking trends that shift from traditional poaching of large mammals toward lesser-known species.

One of the Belgian nationals, David Lornoy, told Reuters that the group had not intended to violate any laws. "We did not come here to break any laws. By accident and stupidity we did," he said, appealing for leniency.

Messor cephalotes is a monogynous ant species, with colonies numbering up to 5,000 workers. They primarily consume seeds, which they gather and store, playing a crucial role in seed dispersal and soil aeration. Queens of the species can reach sizes of 22 to 25 millimeters.

(RT.com)