Page 20 - Tropic Magazine Issue 35

TROPIC • ENVIRONMENT

People power

PEST ERADICATION
Dozens of new recruits and
strong industry partnerships
are helping in the battle
against an invasive pest ant. REINFORCEMENTS
38 new field officers have brought the
total number of people surveying and Wet Tropics Management Authority field officer
The Wet Tropics Management treating yellow crazy ants to 50. Mikaela Dry logging GPS data at a survey site.
Authority has strengthened its Yellow
Crazy Ant Eradication Program by
welcoming a bunch of new recruits and “We have been prioritising surveys in The Authority also uses information
forming new industry partnerships. sugarcane areas early in the season provided through its valuable partnership
The reinforcements come as the before the cane is too high to access.” with MSF Sugar’s Mulgrave Mill to
Authority resumes survey works across “Ongoing surveys in sugarcane are made identify priority survey areas by tracing
multiple sites throughout the Cairns possible through positive and consistent cane harvester movements from known
region. Running until September, collaboration with the sugar industry infestation areas. This approach has led to
the surveys include hill sites in and and farmers.” detecting yellow crazy ants at several sites
adjacent to the Wet Tropics World The sugar sector is among a variety of in sugarcane fields. If you think you may
Heritage Area. local industries and businesses who have yellow crazy ants in your area, call
“The Authority has welcomed almost are provided with information sessions 1800 CRAZY ANT. You can also contact
40 additional recruits, including from known as toolbox talks, equipping the Authority to book a free industry
local organisations and Rainforest workers with the knowledge to properly information session.
Aboriginal groups, to support the identify the ants and minimise the
Yellow Crazy Ant Eradication Program chances of unknowingly transporting
for the 2022 survey season,” said them to or from their workplaces. MORE: wettropics.gov.au
Executive Director Scott Buchanan.

20 • Tropic • Issue 35