Platypus Month is back again for its tenth year, and Canberrans are being encouraged to pick up a pair of binoculars and help monitor platypuses at dusk and dawn.
Minister for the Environment Rebecca Vassarotti said during Platypus month, citizen-scientists help researchers understand the population status of these iconic native animals.
“During Platypus Month Upper Murrumbidgee Waterwatch calls for Canberra volunteers to help spot the much-loved mammals to provide a better understanding of platypus numbers in the rivers and creeks in the ACT region,” Minister Vassarotti said.
“Late winter is the ideal time for spotting Platypuses and this is done through a number of surveys over August, as well as through members of the public sending in incidental sightings.
“There will be 34 surveys conducted in August across the ACT and surrounding region. The one-hour surveys will take place at both dawn and dusk, so there are options for early risers and late starters alike.
“With almost 300 spots to fill on the surveys, this work could not be done without volunteers. Our citizen scientists not only collect valuable data, but they also become great champions who can help spot platypus outside the survey times.”
Find out how you can get involved in Platypus Month on the Waterwatch website.
Quotes attributable to Waterwatch Regional Facilitator, Daniel Harris-Pascal:
The presence of Platypus in our rivers indicates the health of our river system and its water quality and late-winter is an ideal time to spot platypus as they forage for food and seek out a mate.
Over the 10 years that Waterwatch has been running Platypus Month, the work of volunteer citizen scientists has helped to build an understanding of regional platypus populations and demonstrate what is happening with our local populations of platypus over time.
In its first year, only 4 surveys were conducted but the program has grown to over 34 surveys undertaken by almost 300 volunteers with the help of our regional catchment groups.
