Platypus numbers are declining, and sadly this unique creature is now at risk of extinction.
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. It’s all part of the platy-project – a citizen-science project from ACF and the University of New South Wales – that aims to fill the gaps in our understanding of where this elusive animal lives, so that we can better protect it.
Check the project website https://platy-project.acf.org.au/ to read more about the project and look at the map of habitat and sightings.
The Lower North Shore group in Sydney have chosen this location in Lane Cove National Park so that we can have a nature walk down near the river and hope to catch some platypuses in the wild. We will meet in the park at the Gloucester Avenue Trail entrance, accessed via Wallalong Crescent. The best times to see platypus are dawn and dusk so start time is 5PM, wrapping up around 7PM for an optional casual dinner nearby.
If you want to learn more about the platy project and the platypus beforehand, then come to the launch webinar on Thursday 1 September at 6:30pm. RSVP here: https://www.acf.org.au/platy-project-launch
We can’t promise you will see a platypus, but we hope you will be motivated to continue looking by yourself in other waterways near you. 💚🌊