Of Queens and Contraband: What the recent Ant Smuggling Bust in Kenya Teaches Us About Wildlife Law

Who knew ants could make international headlines? Not just any ants, queen ants, and thousands of them. This month, Kenyan authorities intercepted a shipment of approximately 5,000 live queen ants, including the rare and highly sought-after Messor Cephalotes, better known as the Giant African Harvester Ant. Their destination? Exotic pet markets in Europe and Asia. Yes, you read that right. The black market has found its next niche in insects; and Kenya, yet again, is at the center of a global wildlife trafficking saga.

While this sounds like a plot twist in an animated film, it’s a sobering reminder of just how creative and persistent wildlife traffickers have become. It also opens up an important conversation about what wildlife crime looks like in 2025, and how our laws are evolving (or not) to keep up.

Small Creatures, Big Business

Traditionally, when we talk about wildlife trafficking, we think of elephants or rhinos; majestic, endangered species hunted for ivory, horns, or scales. But traffickers are getting more creative. As global markets expand, even the tiniest of species are being smuggled for collectors, breeders, or niche enthusiasts. Insects, especially rare ones, are now commodities.

The seizure of these queen ants might seem trivial, but it’s anything but.

In the black market, Messor Cephalotes are prized for their size, rarity, and role in starting entire ant colonies. A single queen can fetch hundreds of dollars. Now, multiply that by 5,000 and you’re staring at a serious illegal trade operation.

So What Does The Law Say?

Under Kenya’s Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, 2013, all native species, including insects, are protected, and any capture, sale, or export must be licensed. Smuggling live specimens without permits violates both national and international laws.

This case also touches on CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), a global agreement that regulates trade in wildlife to prevent overexploitation.

While not all insects are listed under CITES, several are, and many countries treat unregulated wildlife exports as environmental crimes under their own laws. Therefore, if prosecuted, the traffickers could face heavy fines and jail time.

Should We Care About Ants?

It’s easy to dismiss this as “just insects,” but biodiversity doesn’t work that way. Every species plays a role in the ecosystem. Queen ants, in particular, are critical for soil aeration, seed dispersal, and maintaining ecological balance.

When we allow rare species to be smuggled out, we lose not just biological value but also scientific, economic, and cultural wealth. Notably, Kenya is one of Africa’s biodiversity hotspots; what gets taken out illegally weakens our conservation legacy and threatens future generations.

What Needs to Change?

This case shows us that:

• Wildlife laws need to be enforced just as firmly for small species as they are for large mammals.

• Customs officials need training on emerging trafficking trends, including lesser-known species.

• Public awareness is essential. Many don’t realize trading in ants, spiders, or frogs is illegal.

• Regulation must keep up with the evolving value of species in international markets.

So yes, someone really tried to smuggle 5,000 queen ants out of Kenya. No, they didn’t get away with it. And yes, this is your reminder that even in public policy, the tiniest things can cause the biggest buzz.

Because whether it’s elephants or ants, when it comes to wildlife crime, nothing is too small to matter.

Winnie Tsuma is the Vice Chairperson of the National Environment Tribunal of Kenya and the Managing Partner at Tsuma & Associates Advocates. She specializes in policy & legislative drafting, governance, and environmental law.