Kenya: 2 Belgians Among 4 Sentenced in Over Illegal Trafficking of Live Garden Ants From Kenya
Kenya has made history in the global fight against wildlife trafficking after four individuals -- two Belgian nationals, a Vietnamese citizen, and a Kenyan -- were sentenced in a groundbreaking case involving the illegal trade of live garden ants.
Kenya has made history in the global fight against wildlife trafficking after four individuals - two Belgian nationals, a Vietnamese citizen, and a Kenyan - were convicted in a landmark case involving the illegal trade of live garden ants.
Lornoy David, Seppe Lodewijckx, Duh Hung, and Dennis Ng'ang'a were arrested on April 23, 2025, at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport while attempting to smuggle approximately 5,000 live Messor cephalotes (garden ants), valued at $900,000 million, without permits.
The ants are vital for maintaining soil health and ecological balance. They were found guilty of violating the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act and were each fined $7,700 or sentenced to 12 months in prison if they failed to pay.
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