Two teens and 5,000 ants: how a smuggling bust shed new light on a booming trade

Kenya Wildlife Service officers were shocked to find nearly 5,000 smuggled animals in wildlife reserves, including ants meant for exotic pet markets but mistakenly believed to be live insects by two Belgian teenagers who pleaded guilty to wildlife piracy. This unusual case highlights the booming global ant trade and its potential threat to biodiversity, as illegal exports of ants could disrupt ecosystems. Experts caution against pesticides and invasive species while emphasizing the need for sustainable trade practices.