Brisbane residents are invited to help protect one of our most unique creatures as part Council’s newest conservation project.
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said Council will team up with the Australian Conservation Foundation’s (ACF) Platy-Project campaign to find out more about the local Platypus population in our creeks and streams.
“The Platypus is a protected iconic Australian species, but its numbers are declining, so to better protect them, we need to know where they are,” Cr Schrinner said.
“Throughout July and August, we are asking residents who live near freshwater creeks to go ‘platypus spotting’ and record what they see, or don’t see, on the platy-project website.
“As we start to get a better picture of numbers and distribution, we can identify threats including water quality, increasing habitat and linking waterways and help preserve these amazing animals.”
The months of July and August are the best time to spot Platypus as it is their breeding season and when they are most active.
Poor water quality and pollution, litter, water flows and vegetation loss around waterways remain some of the largest threats to the species.
While Council already keeps track of Platypus numbers, residents’ involvement in the Platy-Project will further protect the dwindling populations in Brisbane.
Chair of Environment, Parks and Sustainability Tracy Davis said the program is perfect for all residents, as previous sightings have occurred across the region.
“We do know there are Platypus in several Brisbane creek catchments and that the best time to see them is early morning and at dusk,” Cr Davis said.
“They have previously been spotted in Albany Creek, Moggill Creek, Bullockhead, Sandy Creek, Kholo Creek and Pullen Pullen Creek.
“Even recording a zero sighting is important, as it helps give us a picture of where platypuses are in Brisbane.
“Our Platypus population is an excellent indicator of the health of our creeks, so monitoring their numbers can also help us assess the health of our catchments.”
The platy-project app also maps areas to look for Platypus in Brisbane and results of the project will be published on this platform.
Council also works alongside Wildlife Queensland to locate platypuses by using water sampling to detect their unique DNA.
The research is part of Council’s Local Waterway Health Assessment and Evaluation program which monitors the conditions of waterways and has been active since 2019.
For further details on Platy-Project, go to www.platy-project.acf.org.au.
Head to www.adrianschrinner.com.au/brisbane-news to keep up to date with what’s happening in Brisbane.
