Chinese Man Arrested at Nairobi Airport with 2,000 Live Queen Ants. Nairobi, Kenya — A Chinese national, Zhang Kequn, was apprehended at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Friday after customs officials discovered over 2,000 live queen garden ants concealed in his luggage.
The ants, known scientifically as Messor cephalotes, are protected under international biodiversity agreements and their trade is strictly regulated.
According to local reports, Zhang was stopped during a security check as he attempted to board a flight to China. During the inspection, authorities found the ants meticulously hidden in test tubes and tissue paper rolls within his belongings.
The majority of the ants, 1,948, were found in specialized containers, with an additional 300 concealed in tissue paper.
The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has previously warned about the growing demand for the species in Europe and Asia, where enthusiasts keep exotic ants as pets. Sources close to the investigation suggest that Zhang may be part of a wider ant-trafficking network that was dismantled in Kenya last year. Authorities are expecting further arrests as the probe deepens.
Kenyan officials emphasized that the removal of the giant African harvester ants from the wild could harm ecosystems, as the insects play a critical role in maintaining soil health and biodiversity.
The arrest comes amidst ongoing efforts to protect the region’s rich biodiversity.
A court has granted prosecutors permission to detain Zhang for five days to allow for a thorough examination of his electronic devices and the continuation of their investigation.
Further details regarding the case are expected to emerge as the investigation progresses.
