THE PLATYPUS CARE PROGRAM

platypus4

WHAT IS THE CURRENT STATUS OF THE PLATYPUS?


In 1996, scientists convened at the National Platypus Biology Symposium concluded that the species is declining and in some situations disappearing from many parts of its current range.

Since then, live-trapping surveys undertaken by the Australian Platypus Conservancy have shown that platypus populations have seriously declined along some waterways.  For example, the entire Wimmera River system (which drains nearly 10% of Victoria) probably supports fewer than 200 platypus.  Similarly, surveys recently undertaken along the Curdies River in southwestern Victoria failed to record any platypus at all, even though the species appears to have been locally common until at least the 1960s.

WHY HAS PLATYPUS CARE BEEN ESTABLISHED?

In most cases we still do not know how many platypus live along a given waterway and whether populations are stable or declining.  To decide where local conservation actions need to be undertaken on behalf of the species, we first must establish how platypus are faring.

Unfortunately, platypus live-trapping surveys are too labour-intensive and time-consuming to provide a practical technique for mapping the distribution across very large areas.  However, the good news is that pilot studies undertaken by the APC and others have shown that public sightings of platypus can be used to audit their status very effectively.

Any information you may have about platypus in the wild is of great value to Platypus Care.  To record details of any platypus you have seen or otherwise encountered (for example, by finding a dead platypus) please go to the section Reporting a Platypus Sighting.

WHAT IS THE AUSTRALIAN PLATYPUS CONSERVANCY?

The Australian Platypus Conservancy is a non-government, non-profit organisation dedicated to conserving the platypus and its freshwater habitats.  The Conservancy conducts a wide range of platypus field studies and tries to ensure that its research findings are linked to improved practical management of waterways.

More work is needed to identify the factors that are affecting platypus survival throughout their range.  Platypus Care has been formulated as a key element to help achieve this end.  By initiating action now, before platypus numbers decline critically, we can all help to secure the future of this very remarkable mammal.

For more information about the Australian Platypus Conservancy, visit the APC main website: www.platypus.asn.au.

WHO ELSE IS INVOLVED IN PLATYPUS CARE?


To achieve the goals of Platypus Care, the APC is working in cooperation with government agencies, Landcare and other community-based environmental groups, educational institutions, businesses, and interested individuals. In Victoria, the key partners for Platypus Care include the Victorian Catchment Management Authorities and Melbourne Water.

To date, funding for Platypus Care has been generously provided by:


Contact details for Victorian organisations which are helping to implement Platypus Care and for organisations which are responsible for regional platypus management outside Victoria are found in Links.

Above all, the success of Platypus Care depends on members of the community sharing their personal knowledge about platypus.  To acknowledge the value of individual contributions, the names of persons registering platypus sightings are listed in the Contributors section of this website (unless they choose not to be included).

To register your platypus information now, please visit the section Reporting a Platypus Sighting .