Thieves steal nest at last English refuge of rare ant species
Conservationists call for information as ant nest stolen from Devon's protected reserve
Thieves have stolen a nest belonging to the rare Narrow-headed Ants from Devon Wildlife Trust’s Chudleigh Knighton Heath nature reserve.
The theft was discovered by conservation researchers during routine checks in mid-October. Signs of digging with a spade were found around the hollow where the nest had been.
The nature reserve is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and Narrow-headed Ants are both Nationally Rare and Near Threatened according to the IUCN Red List.
Devon Wildlife Trust has reported the incident as a crime to Devon and Cornwall Police.
A small number of Narrow-headed Ant colonies still exist in Scotland, including on the Royal Family’s Balmoral Estate, but this Devon site is the species' last stronghold in England.
The theft occurs amid a conservation effort to secure the Narrow-headed Ant’s future, supported by the UK Government's 'Wild Again' initiative and collaboration with Buglife.
Police are appealing for information, and Devon Wildlife Trust is reviewing site security while continuing regular checks by staff and volunteers.
Julia Balfour is Devon Wildlife Trust’s Species Recovery Officer for Narrow-headed Ants. Julia said: “The removal of an established nest is a significant loss for this species. Narrow-headed Ant colonies develop slowly, and each mature nest, with its long-lived queens, represents many years of growth that cannot quickly be replaced. This is a crime every bit as serious as illegal raids on wild bird eggs. It shows the pressures that our nature and wild places are under.
"Our most recent survey recorded 142 active nests on the nature reserve, so every nest matters. This is the last population of Narrow-headed Ants in England, and losing even one colony sets back years of careful work by our staff, volunteers and partners.
"This incident makes us even more determined to ensure that our work to secure their future is a success.”
Laura Krusin Buglife’s Conservation Officer for the Moor Invertebrates Project.
Laura said: “Narrow-headed Ants are an extremely rare species, only known from one site in Devon and a handful of sites in Scotland. Therefore, removal of any nests, can have a catastrophic impact on the population, putting even more pressure on an already threatened species.
"Not only are the ants incredibly special, but Chudleigh Knighton Heath itself is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), for the ants and the other species it supports. Any damage to the site or removal of material is criminal and should be treated as a serious offence.
"The destruction to this wonderful site and the removal of the Narrow-headed Ants that call it home is heartbreaking and highlights the threats still impacting these rare invertebrates!”
PC Lucy Wyatt is part of the Rural Affairs team at Devon & Cornwall Police.
She said: “Sites of Special Scientific Interest are legally protected and it is a criminal offence for any person to intentionally or recklessly damage, destroy, or disturb the protected area.
"If you’ve seen anything suspicious in recent weeks or have any information that may assist us with our investigation, please contact us by calling 101 or filling in a form on the Devon & Cornwall Police website, quoting crime reference: 50260284768.”