The platypus is one of Australia's most amazing animals. Unfortunately, there is growing evidence that its numbers are declining. We urgently need to know where platypus live – where they are common and where they have disappeared.

Aims

PlatypusWatch is a community-based program that aims to document where platypus occur so that we can develop a reliable 'snapshot' of platypus populations.

We will use this information to identify where conservation actions are needed – now and in the future – to protect this very special animal.

Get involved

Platypus live up and down the east coast of Australia and inland from the Dividing Range but we know little of how many live where.

With PlatypusWatch, if you live near where platypus live (in Queensland), you can watch out for these amazing monotremes and tell us what you see.

If we can find out where platypus live, we can help plan for appropriate development that is less likely to impact on our platypus populations. Our PlatypusWatch records are entered into a database that is used only for genuine conservation purposes.

Sharing your knowledge about platypus sightings with PlatypusWatch will not cause any problems for the animals concerned. Indeed, the biggest problem facing platypus conservation is human ignorance – starting with the fact that people are often unaware that their actions can have a major impact on animals living nearby.

Have you ever seen a platypus in the wild? If so, you can make a valuable contribution to PlatypusWatch by telling us about your previous and recent sightings using the Platypus Watch Form.

Would you like to see a platypus in the wild? Come and join a platypus survey. Wildlife Queensland promotes community involvement in conservation and occasionally run surveys to document local platypus populations. Contact us

If you have a story to share about where and when you saw an platypus, send it to Platypus Splashes along with a picture if you have one, and we may publish it on our web-site.

April 2013 - PlatypusWatch

Across April, we trained and directed 93 volunteers to survey for platypus in Enoggera and Tingalpa Creeks. The last sightings in these creeks were in 2009 and 2006 (respectively) so we are aiming to establish whether the platypus populations have persisted. Read about the survey experience here.

At this stage we have not had a confirmed sighting, however we have 5 more surveys to complete before platypus are presumed to no longer occur in these creeks.  While we still hold hope, this data will be valuable for the Australian Platypus Conservancy in either case.

The surveys were certainly not without wildlife however - we did enjoy sightings of a superb fairy wren, Lewin’s honeyeater, laughing kookaburra, and sacred kingfisher. Other animals that were spotted included eastern water dragon, swamp wallaby, monitor lizard and sugar glider. Following the survey, as a thank you to our volunteers, we cooked a hot breakfast or supper for them afterwards!

Once again, a big thank you to everyone who took part as this program would not be able to run without the support of volunteers like you.

Forms

• Platypus sighting form.

Publications and information

• Looking out for Platypus - contact us for your free brochure

Species profile

• Platypus

PlatypusWatch Groups

Since the launch of PlatypusWatch (previously known as PlatypusCare) by Wildlife Queensland in 2003, many groups, individuals and universities have embraced the focus on platypus by undertaking their own surveys, monitoring and research (some are listed below).

• Gecko – Gold Coast and Hinterland Environment Council
• Gold Coast Catchment Association
• Moggill Creek Catchment Group
• Oxley Creek Catchment Association
• Pullen Pullen Catchment Group
• Save our Waterways Now - Enoggera Creek
• University of Queensland Cool Pools
• Western Catchments
• WPSQ Bayside Branch
• WPSQ Pine Rivers Branch

For more information on WPSQ's projects, email or phone +61 (7) 3221 0194.