Sadly, our Wet Tropics World Heritage Area came under threat in 2012 through the incursion of yellow crazy ants. It was making our rainforest fall silent, as native insects, frogs and even birds fell victim to these invasive ants.
Residents of Kuranda and the wider Cairns and Tableland community rallied to protect homes and formed a group under the not-for-profit community group Kuranda Envirocare. This is now known as the Yellow Crazy Ant Community Taskforce (the Taskforce). We are a group united by the quest to stop the invasion and impact of yellow crazy ants in our environment, homes and lifestyle. We live amongst the world’s oldest continuously surviving tropical rainforest and we are here to protect it. We help the Wet Tropics Management Authority’s (WTMA) Yellow Crazy Ant Eradication Program by raising awareness, carrying out surveys and, in the past, have treated the 31ha infestation at Russett Park. The Taskforce at Russett Park was essential in delivering the groundwork to treat the infestation, as the WTMA had limited staff and resources at the time. We have 150 Taskforce members. We have the network to get things done and who have a vested interest in eradication. We're there observing effects and are really effective monitors. We are working with the local Djabuguy Bulmba Rangers - Land & Sea Ranger Program. Our task force coordinator organises the community task force and communicates with the YCA Wet Tropics Management Authority eradication project team.
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