Scenario 8 — hitchhiking spider

You are unpacking your belongings in your room and you discover a small spider that has survived the journey. What should you do?

  1. Kill it and throw it away and not mention it to anyone.
  2. Let it go — it is so small that it is not going to bother anyone.
  3. Catch the spider using the Alien Invertebrate Kit, and give it to your station environment officer or station leader.

You chose answer (a).

This is not the preferred option.

All alien invertebrates must be reported, and caught if possible using the Alien Invertebrate Collection Kit which is kept on station.

You should use the kit, and following instructions, put the spider into a jar and give it to the station environment officer or station leader to arrange for it to be sent home.

You chose answer (b).

We have a legal responsibility not to import any foreign species, whether animal, plant or insect, into Antarctica as they could introduce disease.

All alien invertebrates must be reported, and caught if possible using the Alien Invertebrate Collection Kit which is kept on station.

You should use the kit, and following instructions, put the spider into a jar and give it to the station environment officer or station leader to arrange for it to be sent home.

You chose answer (c).

This is the best option.

Many introduced species carry the risk of disease to local populations.

It is important that such creatures be caught, preserved and sent home for identification so that we can understand where they are coming from, how they are getting to Antarctica, and how we can take preventative action.

You’ve completed the ‘Working in Antarctica Quiz’. You can either redo the quiz or return to Living and working in Antarctica.

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