What’s New
Check out what we've been up to in September 2022
Kuranda Tree Frog Creek Survey
Our fourth survey showed great results with no presence of yellow crazy ants or electric ants found in Ripple Creek. A team of six volunteers and Wet Tropics Management Authority staff followed the creek line from the Barron River to our last survey points joining up a 500m stretch of beautiful rainforest that is home to the iconic Kuranda tree frog.
Our next monthly survey will be in Warril Creek on 29 October 2022. If you would like to get involved, please get in touch. Community support is so important in eradicating yellow crazy ants from the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area.
Our team preparing for the survey
One of our Taskforce volunteers ready to lay a lure down of jam and cat food.
The mighty Barron River at Ripple Creek mouth – One of the 11 frog monitoring sites
Wait-a-while – is a native plant found in tropical rainforests and can hook onto skin and clothes hence its name.
Ripple Creek – home to the endemic and critically endangered Kuranda Tree Frog
Steiner Spring Fair
On Saturday 27 August, the Taskforce and the National Electric Ant Eradication Program joined with a stall at this year’s Steiner Spring Fair. It was a great opportunity to talk to Kuranda and Cairns locals about the invasive ants in Kuranda. We presented live electric and yellow crazy ants for recognition, booked free backyard checks and demonstrated how to quarantine potted plants to prevent spreading invasive ants.
Importantly, we were able to show locals where electric and yellow crazy ant infestations are in the Kuranda area.
A big thank you to Mikhaila Jacoby, founder of the community Taskforce and original Taskforce Coordinator, for supporting us on the day.
From left Mikhaila Jacoby, Ciara Bridgland from the Taskforce and Cassandra Parker from the National Electric Ant Eradication Program.
Carnival on Collins
Father’s Day at Carnival on Collins was a hoot. The Taskforce joined the Wet Tropics Management Authority’s Yellow Crazy Ant Eradication Program team in spreading awareness about yellow crazy ants.
As always, it’s great to engage with the community face to face about matters people are interested in when it comes to protecting our place in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area.
Thank you to our wonderful volunteers on the day, Tim Brown and Adam Walker.
Taskforce side of the stall with volunteer Tim Brown at the helm.
Our Taskforce stall
Volunteer With Us
Volunteer and join the Taskforce or stay informed about yellow crazy ants
What’s Coming Up
You want to get involved in our awesome events?
What’s happening
Kuranda Spring Fair
Valued volunteers wanted for shifts on the stall.
WHERE: Centenary Park, Kuranda
WHEN: 8 October 2022, 10 am – 2pm
Surveys in Kuranda tree frog habitat
Invasive ants have been found in critical frog habitat and the Kuranda tree frog is under threat from the yellow crazy ant. Checking for invasive ants will ensure protection of this endemic and critically endangered species.
We need your help so please get in touch if you would like to assist with the survey.
Lunch provided.
WHERE: Lower reaches of Kuranda creeks
WHEN: Monthly survey 8–12.30 pm
Sat 29 October – Warril Creek
On a final note
The Community Taskforce is a community-run organisation that assists the Wet Tropics Management Authority in managing the yellow crazy ant infestations in Kuranda. Volunteers are involved in some aspects of the program, including undertaking monitoring activities, completing surveys of known infestation areas and surveys in the surrounding area.
We search for both yellow crazy ants and electric ants.
To report illegal dumping contact Mareeba Shire Council on 1300 308 461. Report yellow crazy ants call 1800 CRAZY ANT
To volunteer with the Yellow Crazy Ant Community Taskforce call (07) 4093 8989, email coordinator@communitytaskforce.org.au or visit @ycacommunitytaskforce Facebook page.
