Rescue from the bin: Ant keepers active for Bad Kissingen

Rescue from the bin: Ant keepers active for Bad Kissingen

There have recently been new initiatives to protect the local ant population in the Bad Kissingen district. The two committed ant keepers Martina Faber and Anja Vorndran completed their training at the Antschutzwarte Bayern e. V. successfully completed and are now working in close cooperation with the higher and lower nature conservation authorities. Their first mission recently led them to a special challenge: relocating a colony of bald-backed wood ants (Formica polyctena) that lived in an old, rusted metal barrel filled with window glass. Although these circumstances were initially advantageous for the ants - metal and glass keep heat and therefore the living environment pleasant for the small animals - the bin ultimately posed a risk.

Ants are true all-rounders in nature. They make a crucial contribution to nature conservation by regulating pests, loosening the soil and helping to spread plants. Faber and Vorndran's team relocated the bald-backed wood ants into large plastic containers and brought them to a safe area of ​​the Federal Nature Conservation Agency that is rich in fruit trees and forest. The new home offers optimal conditions for the ants to develop further.

Ant keepers in action

The tasks of the ant keepers are diverse. They document and look after existing nests, identify protected species and help with applications for relocations. An important point: Ants may not be relocated or killed independently as they fall under species protection law. Improperly removing a nest has legal consequences. Before each relocation, the ant keepers clarify questions about the type, location and reasons for the relocation. The best time to do this is usually April and May when the ants are active.

The basis for such projects comes from the long tradition of ant protection in Germany. As early as the 1970s, Prof. Dr. Karl Gößwald organized forest ant protection. The founding of the association to promote the Ant Protection Observatory Würzburg e.V. and later the Federal Association of German Ant Protection Observatory e.V. (DASW) has since set the course for the preservation of native ant populations. Collaboration with foresters, forest owners, hunters and nature conservation organizations has proven to be extremely effective.

Inform and educate

If you are interested in becoming an active ant keeper yourself, you can find out about relevant training opportunities on the Ant Protection Observatory website. The Faber and Vorndran team is happy to have more committed colleagues, because the protection of these fascinating animals is more important than ever. If you have any questions or would like advice, the Lower Nature Conservation Authority and the Ant Protection Observatory are available at any time.

Overall, this project impressively shows how important close cooperation between citizens and nature conservation authorities is. Fränkischer Tag reports that the ant keepers act as the backbone of the conservation of this important species. An exciting field that deserves a lot of attention!

For more information about the important contributions of ants to the ecosystem and the work of the Ant Protection Observatory, you can also contact Ameisenschutzwarte.