Fire Ants Invade Kinmen Ecological Floating Islands; Otters Return After Half-Year Treatment

Two ecological floating islands in Kinmen, which serve as habitats for Eurasian otters, were invaded by red imported fire ants last year, causing the otters to abandon the sites. Following a six-month effort by the conservation group 'Regenerative Fish Farm' and the Kinmen County government to apply pesticides, automated cameras have finally captured the return of the otters. In 2023, the group installed two floating islands in a pond in Qingyu to increase environmental diversity and provide resting and feeding spaces for otters. On World Otter Day, the group announced on Facebook that after the ant infestation forced the otters away, they collaborated with the county government to form an 'ant-eradication task force.' After six months of regular treatment, they were surprised to observe two otters on the island simultaneously. Fan De-zheng, director of the Kinmen Animal and Plant Disease Control Center, stated that they are now using drones to apply pesticides, which allows for more precise distribution and overcomes terrain limitations. After successful trials in Lieyu Township last year, the drone program is being expanded to the main island of Kinmen this year.