Platypus sighting delights conservationists during citizen science project

A GROUP of more than 40 conservationists gathered by the Barwon River this week, hoping for a glimpse of one of Australia’s most elusive creatures – the platypus.

Known for its shy nature and mostly nocturnal habits, the platypus is rarely spotted in the wild.

These egg-laying mammals, found only in Australia, rely on their sensitive bills to detect prey underwater.

The Australian Conservation Foundation’s (ACF) annual citizen science initiative, the Platy-project, encourages Australians to visit local waterways at dawn or dusk through September and October, observing quietly in hopes of seeing platypuses and reporting findings – or lack thereof – to help researchers better understand the species’ distribution.

Despite the species’ looming threat of extinction, the group’s efforts were rewarded when, just after sunrise, a platypus emerged near the junction of the Barwon and Moorabool rivers.

The group was joined by Corangamite federal member Libby Coker and ACF chief executive officer Kelly O’Shanassy,

ACF campaigner Jess Abrahams said populations were in decline in many areas.

“By recording what you do or don’t see on the interactive Platy-project map, you can help researchers protect this extraordinary creature,” he said.

The platypus is currently classified as ‘near threatened’ due to habitat loss and water pollution, with climate change and river management also affecting its survival.

“Australia is in the midst of an extinction crisis. More than 2000 Australian plants and animals are threatened with extinction. We can’t let the platypus be next,” Mr Abrahams said.

“New nature laws are presently stuck in the Australian Parliament.

“We are calling on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to take up the Senate crossbench offer of a pathway to pass the bills before Parliament by improving protection for forests, addressing the climate blind spot in the current laws and including First Nations knowledge and expertise in decision making.”