Exotic pet craze? Chinese man arrested with 2,000 queen ants at Nairobi airport: What makes queen ants worth smuggling?
etimes.in / Mar 13, 2026, 15:39 (IST)
A Chinese national was apprehended at Nairobi airport attempting to smuggle over 2,000 exotic queen ants to China, highlighting a growing exotic pet trade. These protected insects, vital for ecosystem health, are increasingly trafficked, prompting crackdowns by Kenyan authorities who emphasize their ecological importance over hobbyist appeal.