After more than 20 years of careful and persistent efforts, the Tiwi Rangers have eradicated tropical fire ants from Melville Island in Australia's Northern Territory. These invasive ants posed serious threats to native wildlife and ecosystems, but now the island is free from their harmful impact.
- Tropical fire ants thrived on Melville Island, harming native birds and turtles.
- Eradication required pinpointing and destroying individual nests across 1,535 hectares.
- Tiwi Rangers awarded for leading one of the world’s top invasive ant eradication programs.
What happened
Tropical fire ants, originally spread globally through historic ship travel, were first detected on Melville Island around the early 2000s. These ants rapidly established large colonies, impacting native wildlife by preying on small mammals, bird species, and particularly vulnerable sea turtle hatchlings. Local Indigenous rangers, supported by government programs, took on the complex challenge of eradicating the invasive ants.
Over two decades, the Tiwi Rangers developed a meticulous approach, shifting from broad treatments to carefully locating and destroying individual nests across more than 1,500 hectares. Their success culminated in 2025 when the species was declared completely eradicated from the island—a rare and significant global achievement in invasive species control.
Why it feels good
The eradication is a major victory for environmental protection and Indigenous land management. The tropical fire ants not only threatened biodiversity but also posed health risks to the local community through painful stings and allergic reactions. Removing them safeguards both wildlife and people, improving the health of this unique tropical environment.
Recognition through the Territory Indigenous Natural Resource Management Award highlights the skill, dedication, and leadership of the Tiwi Rangers. Their work sets a powerful example of how Indigenous knowledge combined with scientific expertise can successfully tackle invasive species challenges, even on a large scale.
What to enjoy or watch next
This success story encourages further support for Indigenous ranger programs and similar conservation efforts worldwide. Monitoring Melville Island will continue to ensure no reintroduction occurs, and ongoing research may provide deeper insights into the full ecological recovery following the eradication.
For those interested in wildlife conservation, watching how the native bird populations and sea turtle hatchlings respond in the coming years will be inspiring. The Tiwi Rangers’ achievement invites people to celebrate the resilience of nature when communities work together to protect it.