• A Chinese national and a Kenyan associate have been charged with smuggling over 2,000 live ants in Kenya.
• The men were arrested at Nairobi’s airport after being found with hundreds of ants stored in tubes and tissue rolls.
• They are accused of conspiring to engage in wildlife trafficking without required permits.
• The case signifies a rising trend in the illegal trade of lesser-known wildlife species.
• Both men pleaded not guilty and are currently held in custody pending further court proceedings.

A Kenyan court has charged Zhang Kequn, a 37-year-old Chinese national, and his associate Charles Mwangi with illegally dealing in wildlife after they attempted to smuggle over 2,000 live queen garden ants out of the country. Zhang was apprehended at Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport after authorities discovered the ants in his luggage, meticulously packed in test tubes and wrapped in tissue rolls, according to Reuters.

The defendants were arrested on March 10, 2026, with 1,948 ants stored in specialized tubes and an additional 300 concealed in tissue rolls. Prosecutors allege they acted without the necessary permits under Kenya's wildlife conservation laws. The court was informed that Zhang had paid Mwangi Sh60,000 ($462) for an initial batch and Sh70,000 ($540) for subsequent supplies, which reflects a growing market demand for such species, as reported by Africanews and SCMP.

During their court appearance, both Zhang and Mwangi pleaded not guilty to the charges of unlawful dealing in wildlife species and conspiracy to commit a felony. Their attorney claimed they were unaware of the legality concerning the ants, asserting that "they believe that they can make a living out of it," according to BBC. The court has ordered both men to remain in custody until their next hearing on March 27.

Authorities have flagged this case as part of a troubling trend concerning wildlife trafficking in Kenya. Last year, two Belgian teenagers faced similar charges for attempting to smuggle 5,000 ants to Europe, and similar trafficking cases have surfaced recently, highlighting the risks to Kenya's biodiversity. Kenyan wildlife officials emphasize that illegal exports undermine both ecological rights and potential economic benefits for local communities, as discussed in Reuters, Africanews, and SCMP.