Planting for platypus

By Lachlan Ellis

A local Landcare group is calling on volunteers to get involved in its latest planting day, to help an animal icon thrive in Moorabool.

The Moorabool Catchment Landcare Group (MCLG) is running a Platypus Planting Day on Saturday July 22, with volunteers asked to help plant native vegetation to help support the local platypus population in the West Moorabool River.

Results from platypus surveys throughout the Moorabool Catchment in May 2021 showed that platypus do live in the West Moorabool River – and the MCLG is keen to help make the river a thriving platypus habitat.

MCLG Coordinator Jackson Cass said planting of native species was a great way to help the vulnerable platypus population recover.

“On the day we will be planting 500 native plants that vary from gums, shrubs, and groundcovers along a tributary to the West Moorabool River just outside of Elaine. These plants will improve the health of the Moorabool River system and also improve the habitat of platypus in the catchment,” Mr Cass told the Moorabool News.

“Platypus are now listed as “Near Threatened” by the IUCN and “Vulnerable” in Victoria, in recognition of mounting evidence of population declines and localised extinctions throughout its range. The Moorabool Catchment has been significantly modified due to widespread land clearing for agriculture, presence of invasive species, poor water quality, and reduced river flows due to water extraction and diversion as well as climate change.

“By reintroducing native vegetation, we address all of these issues and are able to engage the local community in the process.”

The planting day will also include a discussion on platypus conservation in the Moorabool Catchment and what the community can do to help the local platypus populations.

A free morning tea will also be held on the day.

For more information and to register for the Platypus Planting Day, visit events.humanitix.com/platypus-planting-day.