A species of ant has returned to a Shropshire woodland to help boost biodiversity.
Southern red wood ants have been reintroduced to Comer Woods on the Dudmaston Estate near Bridgnorth in a project led by the National Trust.
The project is a partnership between the National Trust, Swansea University, and ant conservation specialists Ant Antics.
Ewan Chapman, countryside manager at the National Trust, said: "Southern red wood ants play an extraordinary role in woodland ecosystems.
"By bringing them back to Comer Woods, we're restoring natural processes that support healthier soils, richer biodiversity, and more resilient woodlands.
"This project is a great example of how targeted conservation action can help rebuild the complex relationships that make these landscapes thrive."
The Southern red wood ant is considered a keystone species, playing a vital role in maintaining the balance of woodland habitats and supporting other wildlife.
Their nests provide natural pest control and act as biodiversity hotspots, supporting numerous other invertebrates.
The ants also help aerate the soil, improve nutrient cycling and support woodland regeneration.
Their return forms part of a wider National Trust conservation initiative, including reintroductions at Kinver Edge.
Dr Wendy Harris of Swansea University said: "Wood ants are true ecosystem engineers.
"Their nests influence soil nutrients, plant growth, and whole communities of other invertebrates.
"Reintroducing them allows us not only to restore a lost species but also to study how their presence helps woodland ecosystems recover and function more naturally over time."
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Southern red wood ants have declined across the UK due to habitat loss and changes in land management.
In some areas, they have disappeared entirely.
The project involved carefully relocating colonies into suitable areas of Comer Woods, chosen for their sunlight, structure, and food resources.
Swansea University researchers helped plan the move and will support ongoing monitoring.
The National Trust said the reintroduction is a reminder that even the smallest creatures can play a vital role in restoring ecological balance.
Visitors to Comer Woods may start to notice the ants’ distinctive dome-shaped nests, though the species poses no risk to people if left undisturbed.
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