The
platypus is one of Australia's most amazing animals.They are shy
and have a retiring nature and are mostly nocturnal, so they are
difficult to spot. There is evidence that they are declining in
number.
Platypus
Care is a community-based programme to map where platypus occur
and develop a reliable snapshot of the status of platypus populations.
The information can be used to idenitfy where conservation actions
are needed. Echuca Landcare Group is keen to protect platypus
habitat along the Lower Campaspe River.
If you see a platypus
(either alive or dead) along the Campaspe, it is an important
sighting. It will contribute to understanding the conservation
needs, numbers and distribution of the platypus.
Therefore, please consider
reporting the details of your sighting to the Australian
Platypus Conservancy, P O Box 84 Whittlesea Victoria 3757.
The details of your
sighting(s) will be kept secure. They will be passed on to the
Australian Platypus Conservancy who will use the information only
for conservation and study purposes. Sharing your knowledge about
where a platypus lives will not cause any problems for the animals.
Platypus are fascinating creatures, but are themselves not a problem
to anyone and have no commercial value. The commonest problem
facing platypus conservation is human ignorance. It is an unfortunate
fact that people may be completely unaware that their actions
can have an impact on platypus living in the area.
Your contact details
will be kept strictly confidential, if you wish it, and will not
be used for any other purpose, or passed on to any other party.
The Water Rat
The Australian Water
Rat (or Rakali) is an intelligent and cautious mammal of Australian
waterways. Australian Platypus
Conservancy is keen to hear of sightings to help it assess
how well these mammals are doing in the wild (please give full
details of the location and date of any observation: a CFA map
reference is ideal).
Water rats have broad
hind feet with webbing between the toes and a thick, well-fured
tail. Their fur is soft and dense and it repels water. They are
very dark in clour. Adults are up to 40cm long from nose to rump.
They may be observed
either during the day or at night either swimming near the water
surface or running along the stream bank. Sometimes they sit on
a log or rock at the water's edge.
They are short-lived
(3-4 years) so consecutive breeding failures can result in a population
crash. Retaining fallen logs in waterways and protecting streamside
vegetation can assist them survive.
Australian
Platypus Conservancy
Tips
on Spotting Platypus
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