Once again this September, we’re asking our community to head down to our local creek or river, find a quiet place on the bank, try to spot a platypus and record what we see.
Following the Melbourne Launch Event on the Yarra at Templestowe on 2nd September, Chisholm Group will be having another event on Mullum Creek, Doncaster East. Platypus have been seen near here within the last five years. This will build on our upstream Mullum Creek event last year in Donvale.
Platypus are unlike any other animal found on earth, but due to habitat destruction, bushfires, drought and pollution this Aussie icon is threatened with extinction.
By mapping where platypus live we can track - and then prevent - declines in numbers.
That’s where you can help. There are places within the platypus’ range where sightings have never been recorded, or where they haven’t been seen for a long time. These are our biggest gaps in knowledge.
You can help researchers fill these gaps by visiting these priority areas, look for platypuses, and upload your findings.
Check the platy-project website to read more about the project and look at the map of habitat and sightings.
- We will meet in the park next to the Larnoo Playspace. Parking is available along Larnoo Street.
- The best times to see platypus are dawn and dusk so start time is 4:30 pm, with a briefing.
- After that we’ll take a short walk down to the creek trail and spread out to access the creek in both directions to watch for platypus until sunset around 6:10 pm.
- Please bring a torch for finding your way along the banks when it gets dark.
Remember that recording where platypus are no longer found is just as important as where they are now. After joining any of our events, we hope you will be motivated to continue looking by yourself in other waterways near you.
Banner image: Liz Reen.