Ofira, the sniffer dog trained to detect electric ants, has passed her probation and will now be permanently based in Far North Queensland, and to celebrate Ofira will show off her talents from 11am at the Community Cabinet meeting being held at Innisfail State College on Sunday 28 February.
The two-year-old blonde-coloured Labrador will demonstrate her skills as her trainer hides items that smell like electric ants and Ofira will sniff them out. These ants are only about 1.5mm long but they’re capable of giving humans and pets sharp stings that can cause prolonged pain, itchiness and blisters. Residents in restricted areas should not move any soil or plant material such as pot plants as this will reduce human-assisted spread of the pest outside the restricted areas.
Ofira was on trial while undergoing training but she has proved herself to be a r eliable and competent worker in support of Biosecurity Queensland’s efforts to eradicate electric ants and other pests. She is now proudly a full-time Far North Queenslander, based in Cairns.
The community cabinet meeting will also include information on other invasive pests such Asian honey bees and Miconia weed. Miconia has a large leaf with a purple underside. It is an aggressive invader of rainforest areas and creek banks, and has been found in the region. In the coming weeks Biosecurity Queensland will be sending all lawn care businesses in the Innisfail area an information pack about Miconia identification and what they can do to help.
If people see any suspicious ants, please call us on 13 25 23. All reports will be investigated as even false alarms can provide valuable information.
RSS
Twitter
Facebook
