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.
Community Groups around Melbourne have joined together to launch the Platy Project locally. We have chosen this location in Doncaster East where there have been some sightings in recent years as another function is already booked at our initial location in Templestowe.
- We will meet in the park behind Doncaster Hockey Club, accessed on the south side of Reynolds Rd, Doncaster East. The best times to see platypus are dawn and dusk so start time is 4pm, with talks to learn more about the area and the platypus at 4:30pm. After that we’ll spread out along the trail to watch the creek both north and south of Reynolds Road around 5 pm to watch for platypus until sunset around 6pm.
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.