An unusual case of animal trade attracted the attention of the authorities KenyaWhen two Belgian teenagers were arrested with more than Five thousand ants Packed in test tubes and spraying, in a clear case of illegal traffic traffic.
According to Keny’s Wildlife Service (Expert), This case shows a change in the trends of the wildlifeIt went from focusing on large iconic mammals, such as elephants and rhinos, A less visible species, but are ecologically crucial.
Ants were appreciated at around nine thousand euros and were intended for markets exotic pets In Europe and Asia, which unfortunately grow with jumps and boundaries by the internet and the lack of criteria and common sense of those they acquire.
Kenyan exotic ants victims of illegal traffic
A Kenyan court has imposed fines that are equivalent to more than 6,800 euros or a one -year prison sentence to four men – two Belgian citizens, a Vietnamese and one Keniano – for allegations of animal traffic, then are intercepted with thousands of exotic ants in Kenya.
«Lornay (David) and Seppe (Lodewijckx) are Convicted of paying a fine of one million chelines each, in whose absenteeism they will be in prison for twelve months“, Said Judge Njeri Thuku, of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport Court, in Nairobi, in his sentence for the two Belgian youth.
In a separate judgment, the magistrate imposed the same punishment for the Vietnamese duh Hang Nguyen and the Kenyan Dennis Nganga, after the Four defendants will be guilty of the possession of ants. In a case that has generated surprise and interest in Kenya and outside the country, the defendants were denounced by the Kenyan Wildlife Service (KWS).
As detailed by the sentence, David and Lodewijckx were arrested at the beginning of April after being Found in Nakuru County (West) with around 5,000 antsincluding individuals of the kind Harvest CefalotenKnown as the world’s largest collection of ant.
For his part, Nguyen and Nganga were Arrested in the Kenyan capital with around 300 ants, including the above exotic species. The court estimated the value of the intercepted animals that take place in more than 8,000 euros.
In the pronunciation, David was described as an “ant lover”, an animal that has in his own house in Belgium. The young man was also part of a group of the social network Facebook that focused on ants and their care. The court also emphasized that the two Belgians «They don’t look like the typical syrupers“And that they, according to them, admitted,” they ignored that they are breaking the law. “
As detailed on April 14 in a statement the KWS, the Animals were found in specially modified pipes and spraying so that they could survive Within a maximum of two months and avoid safety controls for airports, including X -Ray scanners.
«Cotton was used to ensure that ants survive during transport, that indicates a traffic adaptation with premeditated and well -executed traffic“, Said the agency, which emphasized that the suspects were planning to smuggle the ants to high value exotic pet markets in Europe and Asia, where the demand for unusual types of insects is high. “
According to the KWS, «This Unprecedented Case shows a change in traffic patternsFrom large and iconic mammals to less well -known but crucial species ». The institution also emphasized that these facts are not only ‘a serious natural crime’, but also form biopiration, because “they imply illegal access and the attempt to export the genetic means of Kenya without well -informed permission prior to or distribution of benefits.” EFE / ECOTICIA.COM