A court in Kenya has sentenced a Chinese national to one year in prison and imposed a fine after he was found guilty of attempting to smuggle live ants out of the country. The case has drawn attention to a growing niche trade in exotic insects, where collectors are willing to pay high prices for rare species.

The defendant, Zhang Kequn, pleaded guilty to charges including illegal possession of wildlife and dealing in protected species without a permit. Authorities said he was caught attempting to export live ants, which are considered part of Kenya’s protected biodiversity and require proper authorization for handling and transport.

The magistrate overseeing the case stated that a strong sentence was necessary to deter similar offenses, citing an increase in cases involving the trafficking of insects. Officials have warned that even small species like ants play a crucial role in ecosystems, and their removal can have environmental consequences.

Investigators noted that demand for live ant colonies has been rising in markets such as China, where enthusiasts keep them in specialized enclosures known as formicariums to observe their behavior and social structures. This demand has contributed to a niche but growing illegal trade in insects.

The defendant’s legal team has indicated that an appeal may be filed against the sentence. Meanwhile, authorities say the case underscores the importance of enforcing wildlife protection laws, even in cases involving less conventional forms of trafficking.