Current Projects

Some current Australian Platypus Conservancy projects include:

Platypus in Fire and Floods - a major research project to study the short and long-term impacts on platypus of the massive fires and floods which occurred in 2006/07 in Gippsland (see website: “Ripples” No. 37 for more details).

Major sponsors: Victorian Department of Sustainability & Environment and Parks Victoria.

Platypus Care Program - a project to map the current status and distribution of platypus by collecting reports of platypus sightings from the community (see website www.platypus.asn.au/care for more details).

Major sponsors: State Government of Victoria, Corangamite, Glenelg-Hopkins, Goulburn Broken, North Central, North East, West Gippsland and Wimmera Catchment Management Authorities.

Platypus Count Program - a project to monitor the status of platypus and Australian water-rats along selected waterways, conducted by volunteer observers using standardised techniques (see website: “Ripples” No. 36 for more details).

 

Major Partner: Norman Wettenhall Foundation
Major Partners: Canberra and surrounding region - ACT Waterwatch; Yarra River - City of Banyule, City of Manningham & Shire of Yarra Ranges

Platypus Monitoring by Community Groups - a project to investigate the status of platypus and water-rats using “Friends”, Landcare and similar community environmental organisations to conduct regular group observation sessions along their local waterways.

 

Major sponsor: Sara Halvedene Foundation

Reducing the Impact of Fishing on Platypus - A project to reduce the number of deaths and injuries to platypus caused by illegal and/or inappropriate fishing activities

 

Major Sponsor: R E Ross Trust
Major Partners: Fisheries section, DPI Victoria

 

Platypus Reintroduction Project - the first ever attempt to re-establish a platypus population along a waterway where the species has gone locally extinct. Platypus disappeared from Cardinia Creek after the huge 1983 bush-fires; however, the waterway environment is now fully recovered from the effects of this disaster.

 

In April 2004, surplus juveniles were translocated from a nearby waterway in the first stage of a project to bring platypus back to Cardinia Creek. Radio-tracking showed that all animals adapted well to their now home. In view of the success of this initial phase, additional animals were progressively added to Cardinia Creek. Routine breeding is now occurring, suggesting that a viable breeding population is becoming established (see website: “Ripples” No. 36 for more details).

Collaborators: Cardinia Environment Coalition, Shire of Cardinia.
Major Sponsor: Melbourne Water.

Australian Water-rat (Hydromys chrysogaster) conservation project – Water-rat Report, a systematic community-based monitoring program (using the model of the Platypus Care program) is establishing the current status of water-rats on a catchment-by-catchment basis. Practical action will then be initiated to counter threats to the long-term survival of vulnerable populations of this attractive native mammal.

 

Major sponsor: John T Reid Charitable Trusts.

 

Yarra Ranges Platypus Conservation Strategy – development of a conservation strategy for the Shire of Yarra Ranges that has some of Victoria’s most threatened platypus populations within its boundaries.

Major sponsor: Shire of Yarra Ranges.

"Caring for Platypus" Information Leaflet - production of a leaflet on platypus protection issues, especially litter entanglement problems, for circulation to management agencies, municipalities, conservation groups and schools.

Major sponsor: Australian Geographic Society.

Platypus Research & Conservation Centre - operation of a Platypus Research & Conservation Centre at Deep Creek, near Bruthen, to service the Conservancy's research, education and community action programs.

Initial sponsors: Helen Smith Trust; Sidney Myer Fund.

Platypus Health and Disease Monitoring - a wide range of inter-related studies to inspect and record the physical condition of platypus, test for disease and monitor general health.

Major sponsors: West Doncaster Veterinary Centre, IDEXX, Microchips Australia, Abbott Laboratories and Austvet.

Platypus Weight Variation - analysis of variation in platypus weight and condition.

Major sponsor: Salter Weightronix.

Platypus Diving Behaviour - observational study of diving capabilities and behaviour of platypus in the wild.

Major sponsor: Carl Zeiss.

"Living With Platypus" Information Booklet - publication of a booklet on platypus conservation issues for circulation to management agencies, municipalities, conservation groups and schools.

Major sponsor: Parks Victoria.
Major collaborator: RMIT Faculty of Art Design & Communications.

Platypus Education Program - classroom visits to teach about platypus and freshwater conservation issues. The Conservancy has also participated in the Victorian Government's Scientists-in-Schools Program with a special project in conjunction with Darraweit Guim Primary School.