Latest news with #invasivespecies
Daily Mail
11 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Brits told to 'remain vigilant' as one of world's most invasive ants found in Spanish tourist hotspot
One of the world's most invasive species of ants has been discovered in Spain. The harmful bug, known as the electric ant, was found in the Tenerife town of Los Cristianos at a golf complex, by entomologists Antonio Pérez and Irene Santos from the Institute of Natural Products and Agrobiology. According to Canarian Weekly, local authorities have urged members of the public to remain vigilant following the ant's discovery, as it remains unclear how it arrived in the tourist hotspot. The little fire ant, which is also known as the electric ant, originates from South American countries but has spread across the world, including to France, Israel and now Spain. Its sting can cause painful reactions, which in some cases can be severe in both humans and animals. Following the discovery, the Government of the Canary Islands launched a containment strategy in a bid to eradicate the ant. While it poses a risk to humans, the ant can also devastate wildlife by displacing native species. Los Cristianos is the largest of Spain's Canary Islands, and is a water sports hub, famous for its wide promenade. Local authorities have urged members of the public to remain vigilant following the ant's discovery, as it remains unclear how it arrived in Tenerife Meanwhile, Brits also travelling to Spain were recently warned after a deadly virus that can cause multiple organ failure was detected in the country. The Foreign Office issued the alert on its dedicated website Travel Health Pro after a case of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) was found in Salamanca. In an official statement, it said: 'On 28 May 2025, local health officials have reported a confirmed case of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) in Salamanca. 'The case was exposed via a tick bite.' CCHF is a tick-borne virus, with mild symptoms such as dizziness, high fever, headache, sore eyes, diarrhoea and muscle pain. However, more severe effects include bleeding and bruising and can lead to rapid kidney deterioration well as organ failure.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Americans warned not to eat invasive mussel species
An invasive species of mussels has found its way to Wyoming, but seafood enthusiasts are being warned to steer clear or risk dangerous consequences. More than 500,000 zebra mussels were discovered on a boat lift by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and, following swift and aggressive action to eradicate them, officials have warned Americans to avoid consuming them. In early May, aquatic invasive species specialists worked with the WGFD Casper office to rid more than half a million of the mussels off of a boat that had been at the Lewis and Clark Recreation Area in South Dakota, Cowboy State Daily reported. Specialist's scalded and killed the mussels with hot water and took every effort to ensure no zebra mussel DNA survived. The distinct looking mussel, with tan stripes, more closely biologically resembles that of a clam, but their functions remain similar. Zebra mussels are filter feeders, according to the National Park Service, and siphon particles of plankton from the water. Yet, their fast reproduction rates and insatiable appetite can cause harm to waters and its native species if infestation is not prevented. Zebra mussels of a large population can quickly eradicate almost all floating particles from a body of water, robbing food from species that feed on plankton and exposing prey in the clearer waters. Once an infestation occurs, there is little to be done, therefore officials focus heavily on preventative action to avoid infested waters. Cheyenne chef Petrina Peart told Cowboy State Daily: 'Zebra mussels can be cooked and consumed, but I don't think it'll be worth the potential digestive issues that may follow.' Their constant water filtration typically leads to their harboring a lot of harmful bacteria, which is true for all mussels. 'Freshwater mussels consume plankton and with it any toxins that are present in the water. They make for great water filtration but may not make for a great Amuse Bouche.' When cooking mussels, wine is often used to help kill off any harmful bacteria that may be present. 'Mussels have to be harvested from clean and uncontaminated waters and cooked thoroughly,' Peart said. 'Lots of butter, lemon and fresh herbs couldn't hurt, but there could still be potentially harmful bacteria. Wine is used in mussel recipes to help kill bacteria. It also happens to be delicious.' Some invasive mussel species infestations were solved through consumption, such as the green iguana species. 'The green iguana is an invasive species in the Cayman Islands,' Peart told the outlet. 'They have created dishes and cuisine around the efforts to eradicate destructive invasive iguana species by turning them into something mainstream.' And while the solution worked well, zebra mussels are also much smaller than green iguanas. The largest zebra mussel only reaches around two inches long at most. Peart can see how 'from a problem solving standpoint,' turning to consuming zebra mussels could help eradicate them, but doesn't necessarily think that means it's a good idea. 'I won't lie - I skipped the iguana soup while in the Cayman Islands, and I'll probably skip the zebra mussels too,' she said, with no plans to add them to her menu.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
We asked readers about wake boats on Wisconsin lakes. Here's what you said.
A large majority of Milwaukee Journal Sentinel readers who took a non-scientific poll want to see wake boat regulations at both the state and local levels. We collected responses from 825 people May 24 to 31 amid the debate wake-enhanced boating, which uses ballast tanks to create large waves for surfing and tubing. The boats have raised concerns about shoreline erosion, damage to lakebeds and invasive species. Here are the final results of our poll questions: "Should wake-enhanced boating be regulated differently than other powerboat activities such as water-skiing?" Yes: 76%; No: 24%; No Opinion: 0%. "If you think additional regulation is needed, where should they come from?" A combination of state and local: 53%; state government: 21%; local government: 16%; no opinion: 10%. Wisconsin lawmakers have been meeting with organizations and advocates on both sides of the issue. A number of communities have restricted artificial wake activities, leading to a group suing the Town of Scott in Burnett County last week to overturn the regulations. Three comments capture the sentiment of hundreds of responses from across Wisconsin and beyond: ➤"I am a lake resident in northern Wisconsin. Our lake (Crescent Lake) is to too small and shallow for safe wake surfing. Our shoreline is suffering damage as 2-4 foot waves crash our shore from a neighbor's wake boat. Further, lake residents have been working hard to prevent invasive species from expanding in our lake. Wake boats are an easy way for invasive spread due to their ballast tanks. We do not want these boats spreading additional invasive species from other lakes." — Tim Kilgore, Rhinelander Opinion: We asked readers about arrest of Milwaukee Judge Dugan. Here's what you said. ➤"I have been around all types of boats my whole life: ski boats, kayaks, paddle boards, pontoons, jet skis you name it. In all of my time around these, I have come to find everyone feels like they are the one the lakes are for so they are selfish and never feel like their activity is appreciated or protected enough. There are safe and kind ways for everyone to use everything they'd like and still have enough room to be comfortable on lakes." — Gunnar Schiffmann, Saint Germain ➤"I own 19 acres on Sand Lake in Rusk County. Wake boats are a huge problem. Our shoreline is shrinking. We need your help!" — Tim McCarthy, Ripon Our question about personal experiences with wake-enhanced boating drew the greatest number of responses. Here is a sampling: ➤"I live on a chain where the town and residents voted to ban wake surfing on the lakes. Erosion is not the biggest issue, safety of other lake users and bottom scouring as a result of the bow up operation is. The ballast tanks ... are significant potential transporters of invasive species from lake to lake." — Gary Engstrom, Winchester ➤"My disabled daughter had her wheelchair knocked over while anchored eating lunch in August. This could have killed her and this operation of his boat was legal under current regulation. This is like speed limits, drive your racecar 200 mph at a racetrack, not through the neighborhoods. Our cousin was thrown into the trolling motor while fishing. We've spent thousands on rip rap to stop our loss of property, which cannot be reclaimed per DNR." — David Whitehouse, New Auburn ➤"My family enjoys this type of boating better than tubing or water skiing because it is a slower way to boat and have fun "surfing" the wake. It is way better than water-skiing and tubing because it's not as loud and the boats are going slower so they are much safer for the person behind the boat." — Laurie Siebert, Downers Grove, Illinois ➤"I live on the largest lake in Marinette County. Many of our residents have had to place large rocks on their shoreline, and the lake clarity declines much more quickly when the wake boats take to the water. Our lake is widely used by people who don't live on the lake, so also we are highly susceptible to invasive species. The water ballast needed to use these boats also creates a risk to the health of the native fish and plants." — Sue Morrison, Crivitz ➤"I have lost 3 feet of shoreline due to wake boats, our lake is around 400 acres and is just too small and not deep enough for them." — Bruce Johnson, Turtle Lake ➤"Wake-enhanced boating has provided hours of enjoyment and entertainment for me and my family." — Lawrence Schmit, Lake Beulah ➤"We've had to spend thousands of dollars putting rip rap along our shoreline to stop the erosion from the huge waves they create. When the wake boats are out, most other activity on the lake has to stop. I also have concern about water contamination from uncleaned or on drained ballast tanks." — Steve McCarthy, Mineral Point ➤"I cannot enjoy a pontoon cruise, canoe, kayak or SUP fun if the wake boats are on the lake. Swimming is risky and everyone has to stop the fun for those very few boats that take over the lake the heir huge waves. This is a selfish behavior." — Chris Dierbeck, Oconomowoc ➤"We have a lake home in Rusk County. Every summer there are more wake boats on our little lake which is a little over 200 acres. I am afraid to go out in a kayak anymore (formerly one of my favorite lake activities) and even an evening pontoon ride can be a scary experience if there is even one wake boat on the lake. In addition the wake produced by these boats pounds our shoreline, sending boats that aren't on a lift crashing into docks. I used to like to sit on the docked boat to read but that is often impossible now." — Katherine McCarthy, Port Edwards ➤"Wake boats with artificially enhanced wakes need to be regulated differently than other boats because they are not designed to be compatible on the lakes with other boats. Their wakes cause deep, erratic swells that are dangerous to other boaters, and cause lakebeds and shoreline damage. These boats were not designed to be used on our small shallow inland lakes." — Eileen Burke, Whitewater ➤"The development of 23 and 25 foot wake boats has brought a new challenge to many Wisconsin lakes. Most lakes are too small and too shallow for these boats to operate without disruption of the lake ecosystem." — Tim Kilgore, Rhinelander Thanks to everyone who voted in our poll and left comments. Didn't have a chance to vote? Here's how you can get your voice heard in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel ➤"Ideally it would be state, but the representatives and senators in the Northwoods don't seem to care about protecting the lakes. Locals do care as you can see by the number of ordinances that have been adopted by towns. " — Kippy Meessmann, Presque Isle ➤"I enjoy it and see no problem with it as it causes the same waves as all other activities. No change and keep everything the same. " — Kristin Capper, Saint Charles, Illinois ➤"Wake enhanced sports began in the ocean with natural waves. Small lakes cannot support this huge energy without residual damage to the environment as well as disrupting personal recreation by other non-wake enhanced activities." — Chris Dierbeck, Oconomowoc ➤"This is a statewide issue, which would hopefully be more resistant to industry lobbying than many local government bodies. The lake/water resources are used by people from across the state, not just local citizens. The fact that the water is owned/controlled by the national/state governments, not local jurisdictions, is proof positive that local government bodies don't have the expertise to write their own local ordinances." — Jeff Jacobs, Star Lake ➤"Local. The state has been bought and paid for by the boating industry." — Don Franzene, East Troy ➤"Let local government determine if they have lakes big enough and deep enough to accommodate this sport. Most Wisconsin lakes in the north are too small and shallow to accommodate. This is something for Lake Michigan. The state should not pass a law that prevents local communities from implementing stricter controls/regulation. They did that with lake lot size imposing a 100 foot minimum which allowed high density building on lakes that previously had 200 or better limits. The loadings to lakes have increased." — Gary Engstrom, Winchester ➤"Ideally it would be statewide but that will likely be difficult because finding a one-size-fits-all regulation that legislators can agree on will be nearly impossible. Local governments will need to step up." — Jesse Nechodom, Wauwatosa ➤"Each body of water is unique and requires different regulations." — Jeff Strong, Fond du Lac ➤"Really feel they should be restricted to very large lakes that would allow their wakes to dissipate. The state also should require manufacturers to have fully draining ballast tanks to minimize contamination lake to lake." — Steve McCarthy, Mineral Point ➤"Lakes smaller than 1,500 acres with a minimum of 30 foot depth should be the minimum. Larger lakes with shallow depths or odd shapes should be reviewed independently" — Chris Dierbeck, Oconomowoc ➤"Stop these boats from ruining small lakes. OK to use them on larger, deeper lakes where the waves can dissipate and stay away from shore and other boats, kayakers etc. Would suggest lakes smaller than 1,000 acers not permit this activity." — Lawrence Kancius, Hartland Opinion: Former NBA star Paul Pierce is wrong. Marriage isn't only for 'old, poor people.' ➤"The state has always protected and controlled the ultimate water rights. They should be the ones to govern wake-enhanced boating. The best resolution would be to form a truly independent group to study this subject." — Lawrence Schmit, Lake Beulah ➤"I don't think they belong on the lakes in the Northwoods. We depend on tourism and if our lakes are trashed, we are in trouble. When a wake boat is making wakes, it makes it dangerous for kayakers, fishing boats, swimmers, paddleboarders, nesting loons and shorelines. They tear up the bottom of the lakes, threaten breeding grounds in the littoral zones with their waves and who know what they are doing to the thermocline." — Kippy Meessmann, Presque Isle ➤"I don't see a compromise solution for small shallow lakes. And even if a smaller lake has a couple deep holes, those deep areas are not necessarily 200' from shore. If enhanced wakes are allowed only in those deep areas, the concentration of boat traffic would surely cause accidents, dangerous deep & unnavigable swells and even higher waves crashing into those shorelines. I support an ordinance banning the use of artificially enhanced wakes on our smaller Wisconsin lakes." — Eileen Burke, Whitewater ➤"The best resolution is to let everyone use the lakes. Whether your in a kayak or a big wake setting boat there is a sate respectful way to use that equipment. Don't let peoples hobbies and joy be taken away just because of the people from Illinois that were inconsiderate with their rental wake boat. Don't let the few ruin this truly enjoyable spot for the many." — Gunnar Schiffmann, Saint Germain Jim Fitzhenry is the Ideas Lab Editor/Director of Community Engagement for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Reach him at jfitzhen@ or 920-993-7154. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Readers call for regulations on wake-enhanced boating in poll | Opinion
BBC News
5 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Northern Ireland's green shoots: How to save native woodlands one seed at a time
When it comes to protecting the future of one of Northern Ireland's only native woodlands, a surprising amount of demolition work has to happen before you can really see the wood for the trees. That's why a huge project - that could span decades into the future - has been digging, scything and excavating to keep invasive alien species at bay along a crucial woodland corridor stretching from Belfast to Bangor. Museums NI and the Woodland Trust have teamed up to remove 1,200 tonnes - the equivalent of 700 cars - of aggressive invasive species like rhododendron and cherry laurel, a thick shrub with poisonous cyanide-laced leaves, from a site near the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum. Thousands of native trees are now being planted to replace them. It's part of an effort to preserve one of the few areas of native woodland in Northern Ireland. As the least wooded corner of Europe, Northern Ireland has only about 8% forest cover, compared to the 40% European less than 0.5% of Northern Ireland's forest cover is made up of native woodland, which is why the aim of this project is to plant more than 2,500 native trees at the site. What's the threat to Northern Ireland's woodland? Jerry Hawe, from the Woodland Trust, told BBC News NI that "so much of our semi-natural woodland is vastly depleted". "It's less than half a percent of our land area and, unfortunately, the remaining woodlands face a whole range of challenges. "Probably first among these would be the challenge from invasive exotic species."Over the last few decades, the woodland at the folk museum has suffered a "heavy infestation" of cherry laurel and rhododendron - both "very aggressive" invasive species. The scale of the infestation means native species aren't able to naturally regenerate, meaning the future of the forest is "by no means secure"."In order for these woodlands to support the full range of associated species, flora and fauna, then the more native we can make them, the better."The Woodland Trust will provide advice to Museums NI on how to manage and maintain the woodland as it matures to ensure natives such as hazel, birch and oak are prioritised. Clearing all the invasive species from the site at the folk museum began in clearance resulted in 1,290 tonnes of green waste, which was then converted to renewable energy through biomass to help fund the planting of more than 2,500 trees at the site over the next few years. The first phase of this is already underway, with 550 trees planted in an area larger than four football pitches.A single oak tree can support thousands of species, and is effectively an ecosystem in and of itself, "so you can imagine what happens then when you amplify that", said Niamh Carmichael from the Centre for Environmental Data and Recording (CEDaR). Project success 'could take 120 years' Ms Carmichael described the woodland at the folk museum as a "really important ecological corridor", adding that invasive species are a "significant cause of biodiversity loss globally". Ms Carmichael said many invasive species were brought here during the Victorian era, when there was a "particular fascination" with the natural world but much less understanding of it. "New species were accidently or deliberately introduced to habitats with conditions not really built for them."The majority of them tend not to do terribly well, but there are, unfortunately, some that are nearly a wee bit too good at surviving."She said it could take about 120 years for the woodland to fully mature and for the ecosystem to rebalance. However, making sure that happens is a huge, long-term job."With the invasives, you have to keep at it, because you could clear all of the invasive species off the site, but they could then come back in accidentally on a tyre track, or some of the wildlife could accidentally bring it in."It's our responsibility to make sure those invasives never take hold again." Green shoots for Northern Ireland's trees While this project offers a glimmer of hope through the trees, there is still a long way to go to hit climate targets for tree planting. Under the Forests for our Future scheme launched in 2020, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) committed to planting 18 million trees over 10 years, meaning 10 trees would be planted for every person living in Northern five years later, the department's afforestation programme has planted about 4.5 million trees or 2,300 hectares. In a statement, the department said it recognised that "the annual tree planting rates needed to increase incrementally over the decade from the 200 hectares per year, when the programme launched, to achieve the 9,000 hectare target".Similarly, a recent Belfast City Council meeting revealed a lack of progress on the One Million Trees project – which started strong, but is now 220,000 trees behind schedule. Nevertheless, Ms Carmichael said that "in the face of the biodiversity and climate crisis", the early signs of recovery at this project is "a reminder that nature can bounce back, when given the chance". "It's a hopeful sign of what's still possible."
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Lake Tahoe inspectors find golden mussels in a boat in Alpine Meadows
( — Lake Tahoe watercraft inspectors identified highly invasive golden mussels on a boat on Friday at the Alpine Meadows inspection station. • Video above: Officials have no idea how Golden Mussels make their way to the region According to officials, this is the first interception of the new invasive species by Lake Tahoe watercraft inspectors since the first acknowledgment in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta back in 2024. In May, golden mussels found their way to Folsom Lake and were discovered during a boat inspection. 'Golden mussels pose an extreme threat to Lake Tahoe and the waters of the region, and it is critical that everyone stay vigilant and always Clean, Drain, and Dry all watercraft and equipment when visiting new areas,' said Dennis Zabaglo, aquatic invasive species program manager for the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency. 'We are fortunate to have such highly trained inspectors and committed partners at marinas and boat ramps, but protecting the waters of the Tahoe Region from the spread of aquatic invasive species takes all of us.' Defense Intelligence Agency IT Specialist arrested for allegedly sharing classified information TRPA and the Tahoe Resource Convention District manage the Lake Tahoe Watercraft Inspection Program, which helped to strengthen the inspection procedures in March in response to the golden mussel discovery just a few hours away from the Tahoe Basin, according to authorities. Inspectors said that crews at the Alpine Meadows station conducted an initial decontamination of the 65-foot boat and placed it under quarantine under the California Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations until the boat is safe. The managers of the Watercraft Inspection Program have been working with the Nevada Division of Wildlife and other state agencies to share information on all detections with agencies in both states and the western U.S., officials said. 'With the support of boaters and paddlers, we have kept Lake Tahoe safe from many invasive species, but the survivability of golden mussel and their proximity to Tahoe make them a greater threat than other aquatic invasive species,' Killian said. 'The Lake Tahoe inspection program has become a national model because it is so comprehensive. The move to mandatory decontaminations this year was a crucial step to continue protecting the waters of the Tahoe Region for all to enjoy.' According to the inspectors, as new threats come to Lake Tahoe, the emphasis on following clear, drain, and dry protocol remains for all boaters, paddlers, anglers, and beachgoers. Sacramento's Track 7 Brewing Company announced its closures effective Saturday Tahoe RCD Aquatic Invasive Species Program Manager Chris Killian said that the golden mussels are not in the lake, so following the clean, drain, and dry protocol will help to lessen the risk of invasion. Authorities stated that since the discovery of golden mussels in the port of Stockton, they have been discovered as far south as Bakersfield through the connected water system. The areas outside the Tahoe Region have responded to the threat by standing up prevention programs, temporary waterbody closures, and 30-day quarantine periods in some areas. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
