Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS)

The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) is the state corporation that manages and conserves wildlife in Kenya. It's newsworthy due to recent incidents of wildlife trafficking, specifically involving insects. A Chinese national, Zhang Kequn, was recently arrested at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) for attempting to smuggle over 2,000 queen garden ants out of the country. This incident highlights a growing trend of wildlife trafficking involving insects like giant African harvester ants, which are popular among hobby collectors. The KWS is involved in intercepting such illegal activities, underscoring its role in protecting Kenya's biodiversity and combating the illegal wildlife trade, which now extends to seemingly less conventional species.