Be vigilant for Gold Coast’s 'Most Wanted' pests

Published on 14 November 2024

Gold Coasters are being urged to be on the lookout for some of the region’s 'most wanted' environmental villains who pose a risk to native flora and fauna.

Mayor Tom Tate said the City is committed to ensuring pests which are impacting native animals and plants are controlled or removed.

“Invasive pests can devastate our natural environment, so it is vital we work to stamp out these destructive species,” Mayor Tom Tate said.

“We are asking the public to help us by letting us know if they see any of our ‘most wanted’ pests or any other invasive species.

“Pest control is everyone’s obligation and we are all expected to minimise the risk associated with pest animals and plants in our control.”

Pests we are urging the public to be on the lookout for include feral deer who damage bushland and can cause vehicles collisions; fire ants which pose a danger to our beaches, parks and other public spaces; and the telegraph weed which form dense infestations on our sand dunes threatening native vegetation.

Other pests species to be watchful for include the red eared slider turtle which outcompetes native animals for food; the Mexican bean tree which threatens to outcompete native species and replace the food source for native animals; and the honey locust which forms in dense thickets, outcompeting natives species and its thick thorns can injure animals and people.

Prevention and early detection is the best way to reduce the impact of an invasive species.

Once an invasive species becomes established and widespread, it can become impossible to eradicate or contain it without significant investment and biological control.

The City’s aim is to control invasive species numbers, like feral deer, to ensure they are at a manageable level.

The 6 'most wanted' pests are all listed under the City’s Biosecurity Management Plan which focuses on managing risk when it comes to invasive animals and plants.

Managing pests also contributes to achieving the City’s Our Natural City Strategy 2032.

Notify us of if you see any of these most wanted pest species near you via Report a Problem.

For more information on all invasive species visit Managing pest plants and animals.

Most wanted list

Wanted: Feral deer

Crime: Eating, rubbing, and trampling native plants and creating wallows. Public safety hazard due to vehicle collisions.
Distinguishing features: Four species of feral deer are on the Gold Coast – fallow deer, red deer, chital deer, and rusa deer.

Wanted: Fire ants

Crime: Attack animals that nest or feed on the ground, high densities can prevent people and pets using backyards and parks. Stings which cause a painful, burning, itching sensation that lasts up to one hour. Can cause an anaphylactic reaction.
Distinguishing features: Copper brown in colour with darker abdomen and range from 2mm to 6mm. Nests do not have entry or exit holes.

Wanted: Red eared slider turtle

Crime: Very aggressive turtle which out-competes native species for food and nesting sites.
Distinguishing features: Red strips behind each ear. Their head retracts back into their shell (native turtles place their head to the side).

Wanted: Telegraph weed

Crime: Threatens native vegetation by forming dense infestations on sand dunes.
Distinguishing features: Flowering herb up to 2m tall with leaves arranged alternatively. Stems are thick, densely hairy, flowers small, yellow, daisy-like. Plant emits a strong odour when crushed.

Wanted: Mexican bean tree

Crime: Potential to invade our rainforests, outcompeting native plants, and replacing food sources for native animals.
Distinguishing features: Large circular leaves about 30cm to 40cm, deeply divided and resembles a pawpaw leaf. The lower leaf surface is pale to nearly white/silver.

Wanted: Honey locust

Crime: Forms dense thickets preventing access to reducing diversity of native plants and habitat. Their sharp barbs can also injure wildlife, domestic animals, and people.
Distinguishing features: Deciduous tree which grows up to 20m tall with distinctive spines on its truck and branches.