Fear for koalas after bushwalker finds fire ant nests near Queensland sanctuary

‘How in the hell did they get into this area?’ Bushwalker Nikki Liddell found red imported fire ants nests in Neville Lawrie reserve, which is protected koala habitat Photograph: Nikki Liddell

Fire ants have reached protected koala habitat and a koala priority area in south-eastern Queensland, with experts warning of the danger the highly invasive pest poses to native wildlife.

At least five red imported fire ant (Rifa) nests were discovered in Neville Lawrie reserve at Logan, which is part of the Daisy Hill koala bushlands, at the end of August.