Thousands of Ants Stolen in England

An unusual crime has been reported at Chudleigh Knighton Heath Nature Reserve in Devon, England. According to The Guardian, unknown individuals completely dug up and stole the nest of a colony of one of the country's rarest ant species, the narrow-headed ant.

This unusual species of ant has survived in England only within this small nature reserve. As a result, the loss of even a single colony could seriously harm the entire population.

Environmentalists discovered the theft during a routine inspection in mid-October. At the site of the former ant nest, specialists found a hole and marks left by tools resembling shovels. According to preliminary estimates, the thieves may have taken between 1,000 and 5,000 ants.

Environmentalists have suggested two possible motives for the theft: an attempt to relocate the insects to another area or a desire to add them to a private collection. However, experts warn that moving an ant colony without the necessary experience can be extremely dangerous.