Kenya: Seizure of 2,000 Ants At Nairobi Airport Highlights the Hidden Scale of Insect Trafficking

In 2026, an attempt to smuggle over 2,000 garden ants was reported at Nairobi's international airport, following a warning from the Kenya Wildlife Service about a growing demand for these insects in Europe and Asia. In 2025, four men were sentenced for trying to smuggle more than 5,000 ants, facing a fine of $7,700 or 12 months in prison. The illicit trade in invertebrates, while less visible than that of larger animals, constitutes a significant part of wildlife trafficking.