Yellow crazy ants, considered one of the world's worst invasive species, are on the move again in Queensland's Wet Tropics World Heritage rainforests after a two-year baiting program ended due to lack of funding. The ants, which can form super colonies of up to 20 million per hectare, spray formic acid and kill insects, mammals, and birds.
Four years ago, Queensland authorities abandoned efforts to eradicate the ants at 30 sites along the coast south of Cairns. However, new outbreaks within the Wet Tropics prompted a targeted baiting campaign that successfully reduced numbers for two years.
With funding now exhausted, the ants are spreading again, raising concerns for the region's biodiversity. Conservationists warn that without continued investment, the pest could cause irreversible damage to the World Heritage area.
