#biopiracy — Public Fediverse posts

Kenya’s newest wildlife scandal involves ants, airport security, and a very ambitious suitcase

Dear Cherubs, Nairobi has somehow joined the list of places where even ants are apparently worth smuggling. According to Reuters, Chinese national Zhang Kequn, 27, was arrested at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in March 2026 after investigators said they found 2,238 live garden ants in his luggage, including 1,948 packed in test tubes and the rest hidden in tissue-paper rolls.

THE BIG SWITCH

This was not a random insect mishap. Reuters reported that Zhang had been in Kenya for two weeks, that officials linked him to three alleged accomplices, and that immigration had already flagged a stop order on his passport after he evaded arrest in Kenya the year before. Investigators were also checking his phone and laptop, which suggests this was less “oops” and more “organized inconvenience with legs.”

The species at the center of the case was Messor cephalotes, the giant African harvester ant, which Reuters said is sought after by ant enthusiasts who keep colonies in formicariums, those transparent habitats where people watch ant society do its highly efficient thing. Reuters also reported that export of the species from Kenya requires a Kenya Wildlife Service licence and a health certificate. So no, this was not a souvenir for the minibar.

WHY THE SMALL STUFF MATTERS

The bigger story is the shift in wildlife trafficking from iconic animals to smaller species that still matter ecologically. Reuters reported that Kenya’s wildlife service described an earlier 2025 ant case as a milestone in the fight against biopiracy because it involved the attempted export of Kenya’s genetic resources without prior informed consent or benefit-sharing. ENACT Africa says smuggling live ants can violate Kenya’s Wildlife Conservation and Management Act and fits the definition of biopiracy. Tiny package, big legal problem.

The 2025 case makes the whole thing even stranger. Reuters reported that about 5,000 queen ants were concealed in modified test tubes and syringes designed to keep them alive for up to two months and slip past airport security. The same report said the haul had a street value of about 1 million Kenyan shillings, which is a lot of money for something most people would not notice unless it crawled into their shoe.

What Kenya is dealing with here is not just a quirky airport bust. It is a reminder that the black market keeps adapting, and that conservation can’t stop at the big, photogenic species. Ants may be small, but they help sustain ecosystems, and the demand for rare ones has turned them into a cross-border commodity. Nature, as ever, is doing the most while humans turn it into a side hustle.

Sources list:
Reuters — https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/kenya-arrests-man-trying-smuggle-over-2000-live-ants-his-luggage-2026-03-12/
Reuters — https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/kenyan-court-charges-two-men-including-chinese-citizen-with-smuggling-live-ants-2026-03-17/
Reuters — https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/kenyan-agents-bust-plot-smuggle-giant-ants-sale-foreign-insect-lovers-2025-04-15/
ENACT Africa — https:

//enactafrica.org/enact-observer/ant-smuggling-and-biopiracy-threaten-kenya-s-ecology
Wikimedia Commons image source — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Portrait_of_an_ant,_full_face_view.jpg
thisclaimer.com — https://thisclaimer.com
Thisclaimer YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/@thisclaimer?sub_confirmation=1

Very strange ongoing story:
"Rosario Scientist Accused of Bio Material Theft at Brazil Univ"
Her husband, Michael Edward Miller,an American veterinarian pursuing a doctorate in genetics and molecular biology at Unicamp, is also under investigation.They have a biotechnology startup, AgroTRIX Brasil, focused on viral manipulation for animal and plant health"
Police says all samples were recovered on campus.
The couple is under surveillance, not arrested
#Biopiracy #BioWar
https://www.archyde.com/rosario-scientist-accused-of-bio-material-theft-at-brazil-university/

The Butterfly Thief by Walter Marsh. https://scribepublications.com.au/books/the-butterfly-thief

The great butterfly heist: how a gentleman collector stole thousands of butterflies from Australian museums https://www.theguardian.com/global/2025/oct/04/great-butterfly-heist-how-collector-stole-thousands-butterflies-from-australian-museums #biopiracy #butterflies #books #museums #GLAM

Convention on Biological Diversity (Biodiversity 🦗)

The Convention on Biological Diversity, known informally as the Biodiversity Convention, is a multilateral treaty. The Convention has three main goals: the conservation of biological diversity ; the sustainable use of its components; and the fair and equitable sharing of ben...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convention_on_Biological_Diversity

#ConventionOnBiologicalDiversity #Biopiracy #1992InBrazil #Biodiversity #1992InScience #1993InScience

The original author of Jurassic Park, Michael Crichton, was a vocal critic of gene patents around the time of the Myriad disputes. In a call back to the original author, the characters in the new film Jurassic World Rebirth debate whether a life-saving drug should be the subject of patents or open sourced.

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/jun/30/jurassic-world-rebirth-review-scarlett-johansson-runs-show-as-near-extinct-franchise-roars-back-to-life

There is also a strong focus on biodiscovery, bioprospecting, and biopiracy - (although disappointingly there is no discussion of the Convention on Biological Diversity or the Nagoya Protocol or benefit-sharing agreements in between the appearance of various mega-dinosaurs).

#biotech #biodiscovery #bioprospecting #biopiracy #patent #drugs #film

The original author of Jurassic Park, Michael Crichton, was a vocal critic of gene patents around the time of the Myriad disputes. In a call back to the original author, the characters in the new film Jurassic World Rebirth debate whether a life-saving drug should be the subject of patents or open sourced.

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/jun/30/jurassic-world-rebirth-review-scarlett-johansson-runs-show-as-near-extinct-franchise-roars-back-to-life

There is also a strong focus on biodiscovery, bioprospecting, and biopiracy - (although disappointingly there is no discussion of the Convention on Biological Diversity or the Nagoya Protocol or benefit-sharing agreements in between the appearance of various mega-dinosaurs).

#biotech #biodiscovery #bioprospecting #biopiracy #patent #drugs #film

The original author of Jurassic Park, Michael Crichton, was a vocal critic of gene patents around the time of the Myriad disputes. In a call back to the original author, the characters in the new film Jurassic World Rebirth debate whether a life-saving drug should be the subject of patents or open sourced.

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/jun/30/jurassic-world-rebirth-review-scarlett-johansson-runs-show-as-near-extinct-franchise-roars-back-to-life

There is also a strong focus on biodiscovery, bioprospecting, and biopiracy - (although disappointingly there is no discussion of the Convention on Biological Diversity or the Nagoya Protocol or benefit-sharing agreements in between the appearance of various mega-dinosaurs).

#biotech #biodiscovery #bioprospecting #biopiracy #patent #drugs #film

The original author of Jurassic Park, Michael Crichton, was a vocal critic of gene patents around the time of the Myriad disputes. In a call back to the original author, the characters in the new film Jurassic World Rebirth debate whether a life-saving drug should be the subject of patents or open sourced.

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/jun/30/jurassic-world-rebirth-review-scarlett-johansson-runs-show-as-near-extinct-franchise-roars-back-to-life

There is also a strong focus on biodiscovery, bioprospecting, and biopiracy - (although disappointingly there is no discussion of the Convention on Biological Diversity or the Nagoya Protocol or benefit-sharing agreements in between the appearance of various mega-dinosaurs).

#biotech #biodiscovery #bioprospecting #biopiracy #patent #drugs #film

The original author of Jurassic Park, Michael Crichton, was a vocal critic of gene patents around the time of the Myriad disputes. In a call back to the original author, the characters in the new film Jurassic World Rebirth debate whether a life-saving drug should be the subject of patents or open sourced.

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/jun/30/jurassic-world-rebirth-review-scarlett-johansson-runs-show-as-near-extinct-franchise-roars-back-to-life

There is also a strong focus on biodiscovery, bioprospecting, and biopiracy - (although disappointingly there is no discussion of the Convention on Biological Diversity or the Nagoya Protocol or benefit-sharing agreements in between the appearance of various mega-dinosaurs).

#biotech #biodiscovery #bioprospecting #biopiracy #patent #drugs #film

Vijay Prashad: Patents of a Parasitical North
https://consortiumnews.com/2025/07/07/vijay-prashad-patents-of-a-parasitical-north/
Global South countries are trapped in Global North-dominated patents and licensing fees that are stripping them of wealth and stunting their development. By Vijay Prashad Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research The number in the graph above, based on data from the…
#Politics #AdvancedTechnologies #Brazil #Brics #Commentary #Covid19 #Economy #IncomeInequality #India #International #Legal #SouthAfrica #AgreementOnTradeRelatedAspectsOfIntellectualPropertyRights(trips) #Biopiracy #GeneralAgreementOnTradeAndTariffs(gatt) #GlobalNorth #GlobalSouth #HivAids #HomeroAridjis #Ibsa #IntellectualPropertyRights #PostColonialism #UruguayRound #VijayPrashad #WorldIntellectualPropertyOrganisation(wipo) #WorldTradeOrganisation(wto)

Vijay Prashad: Patents of a Parasitical North
https://consortiumnews.com/2025/07/07/vijay-prashad-patents-of-a-parasitical-north/
Global South countries are trapped in Global North-dominated patents and licensing fees that are stripping them of wealth and stunting their development. By Vijay Prashad Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research The number in the graph above, based on data from the…
#Politics #AdvancedTechnologies #Brazil #Brics #Commentary #Covid19 #Economy #IncomeInequality #India #International #Legal #SouthAfrica #AgreementOnTradeRelatedAspectsOfIntellectualPropertyRights(trips) #Biopiracy #GeneralAgreementOnTradeAndTariffs(gatt) #GlobalNorth #GlobalSouth #HivAids #HomeroAridjis #Ibsa #IntellectualPropertyRights #PostColonialism #UruguayRound #VijayPrashad #WorldIntellectualPropertyOrganisation(wipo) #WorldTradeOrganisation(wto)

Vijay Prashad: Patents of a Parasitical North
https://consortiumnews.com/2025/07/07/vijay-prashad-patents-of-a-parasitical-north/
Global South countries are trapped in Global North-dominated patents and licensing fees that are stripping them of wealth and stunting their development. By Vijay Prashad Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research The number in the graph above, based on data from the…
#Politics #AdvancedTechnologies #Brazil #Brics #Commentary #Covid19 #Economy #IncomeInequality #India #International #Legal #SouthAfrica #AgreementOnTradeRelatedAspectsOfIntellectualPropertyRights(trips) #Biopiracy #GeneralAgreementOnTradeAndTariffs(gatt) #GlobalNorth #GlobalSouth #HivAids #HomeroAridjis #Ibsa #IntellectualPropertyRights #PostColonialism #UruguayRound #VijayPrashad #WorldIntellectualPropertyOrganisation(wipo) #WorldTradeOrganisation(wto)

Vijay Prashad: Patents of a Parasitical North
https://consortiumnews.com/2025/07/07/vijay-prashad-patents-of-a-parasitical-north/
Global South countries are trapped in Global North-dominated patents and licensing fees that are stripping them of wealth and stunting their development. By Vijay Prashad Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research The number in the graph above, based on data from the…
#Politics #AdvancedTechnologies #Brazil #Brics #Commentary #Covid19 #Economy #IncomeInequality #India #International #Legal #SouthAfrica #AgreementOnTradeRelatedAspectsOfIntellectualPropertyRights(trips) #Biopiracy #GeneralAgreementOnTradeAndTariffs(gatt) #GlobalNorth #GlobalSouth #HivAids #HomeroAridjis #Ibsa #IntellectualPropertyRights #PostColonialism #UruguayRound #VijayPrashad #WorldIntellectualPropertyOrganisation(wipo) #WorldTradeOrganisation(wto)

Vijay Prashad: Patents of a Parasitical North
https://consortiumnews.com/2025/07/07/vijay-prashad-patents-of-a-parasitical-north/
Global South countries are trapped in Global North-dominated patents and licensing fees that are stripping them of wealth and stunting their development. By Vijay Prashad Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research The number in the graph above, based on data from the…
#Politics #AdvancedTechnologies #Brazil #Brics #Commentary #Covid19 #Economy #IncomeInequality #India #International #Legal #SouthAfrica #AgreementOnTradeRelatedAspectsOfIntellectualPropertyRights(trips) #Biopiracy #GeneralAgreementOnTradeAndTariffs(gatt) #GlobalNorth #GlobalSouth #HivAids #HomeroAridjis #Ibsa #IntellectualPropertyRights #PostColonialism #UruguayRound #VijayPrashad #WorldIntellectualPropertyOrganisation(wipo) #WorldTradeOrganisation(wto)

GMO maize farming triggers major concerns in Mulugu, in the Indian state of Telangana. Local farmers were told the seeds would produce up to 4 tonnes per acre, but the yields were far lower. According to V. Suresh Kumar, district agriculture officer, these GMO maize seeds were sourced from multinational companies, and such #GMO seed trials conducted without proper documentation and accountability may result in severe legal consequences, including penalties for #biopiracy. https://www.deccanchronicle.com/southern-states/telangana/gm-maize-farming-triggers-major-concerns-in-mulugu-1866356

Bioprospecting (Biodiversity 🦗)

Bioprospecting is the exploration of natural sources for small molecules, macromolecules and biochemical and genetic information that could be developed into commercially valuable products for the agricultural, aquaculture, bioremediation, cosmetics, nanotechnology, or pharmaceutical industries. In the pharmaceutical industry, for example, almost ...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bioprospecting

#Bioprospecting #Seeds #Botany #Bioethics #Biopiracy #Biodiversity

Bioprospecting (Biodiversity 🦗)

Bioprospecting is the exploration of natural sources for small molecules, macromolecules and biochemical and genetic information that could be developed into commercially valuable products for the agricultural, aquaculture, bioremediation, cosmetics, nanotechnology, or pharmaceutical industries. In the pharmaceutical industry, for example, almost ...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bioprospecting

#Bioprospecting #Seeds #Botany #Bioethics #Biopiracy #Biodiversity

Bioprospecting (Biodiversity 🦗)

Bioprospecting is the exploration of natural sources for small molecules, macromolecules and biochemical and genetic information that could be developed into commercially valuable products for the agricultural, aquaculture, bioremediation, cosmetics, nanotechnology, or pharmaceutical industries. In the pharmaceutical industry, for example, almost ...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bioprospecting

#Bioprospecting #Seeds #Botany #Bioethics #Biopiracy #Biodiversity

Bioprospecting (Biodiversity 🦗)

Bioprospecting is the exploration of natural sources for small molecules, macromolecules and biochemical and genetic information that could be developed into commercially valuable products for the agricultural, aquaculture, bioremediation, cosmetics, nanotechnology, or pharmaceutical industries. In the pharmaceutical industry, for example, almost ...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bioprospecting

#Bioprospecting #Seeds #Botany #Bioethics #Biopiracy #Biodiversity

Bioprospecting (Biodiversity 🦗)

Bioprospecting is the exploration of natural sources for small molecules, macromolecules and biochemical and genetic information that could be developed into commercially valuable products for the agricultural, aquaculture, bioremediation, cosmetics, nanotechnology, or pharmaceutical industries. In the pharmaceutical industry, for example, almost ...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bioprospecting

#Bioprospecting #Seeds #Botany #Bioethics #Biopiracy #Biodiversity

It’s Perfectly Fine To Patent Inventions Obtained By Immoral Means Says European Patent Office - https://www.techdirt.com/2024/11/20/its-perfectly-fine-to-patent-inventions-obtained-by-immoral-means-says-european-patent-office/ morals, who needs them? #epo #patents #biopiracy

Who wins from nature’s genetic bounty? The billions at stake in a global ‘#biopiracy’ battle - https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/aug/29/nature-biodiversity-genetic-digital-sequencing-information-dsi-biopiracy-cop16-aoe "As multinationals and researchers harvest rare organisms around the world, anger is rising in the global south over the unpaid use of lucrative genetic codes found on their land"

"Nations agree landmark treaty on traditional #knowledge, protecting Indigenous Peoples’ rights"

https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/05/1150231

#biopiracy #UN #IndigenousPeoplesRights

Agreement reached at UN on #biopiracy treaty.

#genetic_resources #traditional_knowledge #agriculture

https://phys.org/news/2024-05-agreement-biopiracy-treaty.html

India has successfully defended its traditional knowledge of turmeric from biopiracy, a practice of patenting indigenous resources without proper consent or compensation. The country has created a digital library of its ancient medicinal wisdom, called the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL), which has helped invalidate hundreds of foreign patents on turmeric and other herbs. #Turmeric #Biopiracy #TKDL #India

https://www.npr.org/2023/09/01/1197321273/turmeric-india-biopiracy-patent-tkdl?utm_source=flipboard&utm_content=HariTulsidas%2Fmagazine%2FMind+and+Matter

'What started out as a plan to rescue one Indian remedy from the clutches of the U.S. patent office, eventually turned into a much bigger mission – to build a new kind of digital fortress, strong enough to keep even the most rapacious of bio-pirates at bay.' https://www.npr.org/2023/09/01/1197321273/turmeric-india-biopiracy-patent-tkdl #biopiracy #patent

☣️The @EU_Commission proposal on new #GMO gives centre stage to #biopiracy and the #privatization of #seeds by #patent holding companies! @ECVC1/@via_campesina call on the @Europarl_EN & @EUCouncil to reject this unacceptable proposal:
➡️ https://www.eurovia.org/press-releases/european-commission-proposal-on-new-gmos-favours-biopiracy-over-rights-of-farmers-and-citizens

#StopGMO #UNDROP @ecvc

"The #Kenya Forest Service KFS said it allowed the uprooting of the #baobab trees because the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists them as an #endangered species."

This makes little sense ...
It is not listed by the #IUCN (yet) -
(The article might just have a factual mistake?)

Regardless, it s unbelievable that the #Kenya agencies allow the sell-out of 500 year old trees for petty money.
#Biopiracy

https://nation.africa/kenya/counties/kilifi/firm-gets-greenlight-to-uproot-and-export-kilifi-baobab-to-georgia-4024818

@plants #plantscience #botany #trees

#Biopiracy? #Environmentalists confront plundering of #baobab #trees in #Kilifi

https://nation.africa/kenya/counties/kilifi/biopiracy-environmentalists-confront-plundering-of-baobab-trees-in-kilifi-3982114

Campaigners allege ‘#biopiracy’ over export of Kenyan #baobabs

https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2022/oct/24/kenya-baobab-trees-uprooting-export-environmental-groups

#Kenya #Kilifi #Baobab #Botany #plantscience @plants