MEDIA RELEASE 1 MARCH 2013 VOLUNTEERS MONITORING TRAMP ANTS

CODE SIGNING FOR PROTECTED MEDIA COMPONENTS IN WINDOWS VISTA
INSERT LIBARY NAME HERE PARA SU PUBLICACION IMMEDIATA CONTACTO
REC UITR P8431 11 RECOMENDACIÓN UITR P8431 COMUNICACIONES MEDIANTE

(MIEJSCOWOŚĆ DATA) DO PREZESA CENTRUM MEDIACJI IZBY ADWOKACKIEJ
CONVOCATORIA 2016 DE PLANES DE FORMACIÓN MEDIANTE CONVENIOS
DEALING WITH THE MEDIA IN THE EVENT

MEDIA RELEASE: EMBARGO UNTIL 7

MEDIA RELEASE 1 MARCH 2013 VOLUNTEERS MONITORING TRAMP ANTS


MEDIA RELEASE: 1 March 2013

MEDIA RELEASE 1 MARCH 2013 VOLUNTEERS MONITORING TRAMP ANTS

Volunteers monitoring tramp ants in the Wet Tropics


Surveillance and detection of electric ants and yellow crazy ants has gained ground in the Far North thanks to the joint efforts of volunteers and government agencies.


The Wet Tropics Management Authority, Conservation Volunteers and Biosecurity Queensland are collaborating to identify and map the extent of tramp ant infestation along the World Heritage boundary in the Cairns and Mission Beach area.


Electric ants and yellow crazy ants are listed among the world's 100 most invasive species. They, and several other species of invasive ants, are collectively known as tramp ants because of their tendency to hitch a ride with people.


After surveying over 20 km of World Heritage Area boundary and submitting almost 600 suspect ant samples for analysis, it is confirmed that no new infestations of electric ants have been found in the Cairns or Mission Beach areas.


However a number of positive detections of yellow crazy ants have been found outside the previously known yellow crazy ant infestation areas. One of these is likely to have been from dumped garden waste, a common way in which both electric and yellow crazy ants are spread.


“Tramp ants are serious environmental, social, economic, and agricultural pests, capable of inflicting devastating impacts on our tropical outdoor lifestyle, the unique native plants and animals of our World Heritage landscape, pets and livestock, agricultural industries and tourism” Wet Tropics Management Authority Executive Director Andrew Maclean said.

“Tramp ants were identified as a major biosecurity risk to the World Heritage Area in our State of the Wet Tropics Report last year. We are elated that crews are on the ground actively looking for these pests”, Mr Maclean added.


Teams of volunteers trained by Biosecurity Queensland are carrying out surveillance on private and public land adjacent to the World Heritage Area between Palm Cove and Edmonton on Mondays and Tuesdays, and spend Thursdays and Fridays in the Mission Beach area.


Data collected by volunteers is used by the National Electric Ant Eradication Program to help determine the extent of the electric ant infestation and ultimately contribute to the eradication of this pest species.


Landholders can control yellow crazy ants using insecticides such as Distance Plus or other products registered for the control of ants in accordance with label instructions. Alternatively, landholders can contact licensed pest control operators who can now use two other types of yellow crazy ant bait under a permit issued by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority.


Community awareness-raising events about electric ants and yellow crazy ants will be held in 2013 at Smithfield on Sunday March 24th, Ravizza Park in Edmonton Saturday April 20 and the Mission Beach Monster Markets on Sunday April 28. The Smithfield event will coincide with Earth Hour and join the “Not Just a Toad Day Out” event. Event information will be announced at an outdoor movie session at the Cairns Botanic Gardens on March 16th. Information on the events will also be posted in the Cairns Post Public Notices in the coming months.


You can help stop the spread of tramp ants by three simple measures:


Avoid the spread of ants in your area by disposing of your green waste at your local waste transfer station only.


Report illegal dump sites to either Cairns Regional Council on 4044 3044, Cassowary Coast Regional Council on 4030 2222 or Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23


Report suspected sightings of tramp ants to Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23 or contact Conservation Volunteers to arrange a visit to your property on 0428 828 927.


For information on ant identification and control visit www.daff.qld.gov.au/4790_6653.htm


IMAGES


ENDS.


Media contacts: Wet Tropics Management Authority Executive Director Mr Andrew Maclean 0417 052 495.

Conservation Volunteers Regional Manager Dr Alice Crabtree 4032 0844.




Wet Tropics Management Authority

Level 1, Cairns Corporate Tower, 15 Lake Street, Cairns 4870

PO Box 2050 Cairns Qld 4870

Telephone: (07) 4052 0555 Facsimile: (07) 4031 1364

Page 2 of 2


DISEÑO DE PRODUCTO ORIENTADO AL USUARIO MEDIANTE
EL CASO DE LA ESPOSA DE MEDIANA EDAD
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT FRANCES SQUIRE SEPT


Tags: march 2013, on march, volunteers, tramp, monitoring, march, media, release