Potentially deadly fire ants found in new Queensland housing development
Two invasive fire ant nests are found and destroyed at Palmview, on the Sunshine Coast, where locals are concerned for the safety of children living and playing in the area.
The wild and wacky moments that shaped the federal election campaign
From injuring a camera operator with a wayward kick to denying falling off a stage, it has been an exhausting five weeks for the two men vying for Australia’s top job.
Sting operation: the fight against fire ants and allegations of threats, harassment and stalking
Australian police are routinely escorting biosecurity officers onto private properties after they reported being threatened with dogs and guns
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On a stormy Friday night in Samford, in Brisbane’s north-west, more than 200 people attended a meeting keen to learn how they could stop the government from eradicating a dangerous pest.
A two-sided sheet of paper placed on each seat advised residents how to legally obstruct a biosecurity officer from the National Fire Ant Eradication Program.
UK sand eel fishing ban remains in place despite EU legal challenge
Creatures make up the bulk of seabirds’ diet but are fished for commercial pig food
A ban on fishing for sand eels in UK waters will remain in place despite a legal challenge from the EU.
The small, silvery eels make up the bulk of the diet of seabirds, but they are fished for commercial pig food. A lack of sand eels means seabirds such as puffins can starve to death.
‘Irreplaceable habitat’: planning bill raises fears for England’s chalk streams
Environmentalists worry that the post-Brexit legislation will allow the destruction of rare and fragile ecosystems
Walk along the gin-clear River Itchen in Hampshire and you might see otters, salmon, kingfishers and clouds of mayflies, all supported by the unique ecosystem of the chalk stream.
The UK has no tropical rainforests or tigers; its wildlife is arguably more modest in appearance. But its chalk streams are some of the rarest habitats in the world – there are only 200, and England boasts 85% of them. If you look properly, they are as biodiverse and beautiful as any rainforest.
Weather tracker: State of emergency as high winds and floods hit New Zealand
Met Service issues red warning amid deepening low pressure, while Europe experiences above average temperatures
Strong winds and flooding spread across New Zealand last week, with a state of emergency declared in Christchurch, after the country was battered by a destructive area of low pressure. A red warning, the highest warning level, was issued by the MetService (the national meteorological service).
The area of low pressure quickly deepened in the Tasman Sea off the west coast of New Zealand and travelled eastwards, with the centre of low pressure moving across the northern island and creating very strong winds, particularly through the Cook Strait, the body of water that separates the two islands. The wind direction was a south-easterly to southerly, which caused the winds to strengthen as they were funnelled between the islands.