PlatypusWatch – Community leads surveys to indicate freshwater habitat health

PlatypusWatch is a community-based citizen science program that gathers population data from SEQ waterways to raise awareness of platypus conservation. Annual platypus surveys began in 2005 and were volunteer driven by the Moggill Creek Catchment Group.

In collaboration with eight local councils and state governments, conservation groups, and local communities, the Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland (Wildlife Queensland) coordinated PlatypusWatch, a central hub for coordinating platypus research. The program legacy of stewardship is a shining example of environmental stewardship, empowering communities to protect one of Australia’s most iconic species.

The Platypus eDNA Project was launched in 2016 and uses environmental DNA (eDNA) to sample waterways as well as traditional survey methods to document and map platypus distribution and abundance .The Platypus eDNA project conducted more than 595 samples across SEQ from the last five years. The eDNA data, along with observational surveys and ecological models, helps researchers identify the habitat niche of the platypus, track changes over time and identify where conservation actions are needed. While this very special monotreme is still present across much of its historical range, platypus populations have declined by 27% over 30 years due to habitat degradation, pollution, and climate change.

Beyond data collection, PlatypusWatch plays a vital role in raising community awareness and education. The program complements hands-on school and community projects and supports scientific research and educational publications. Over the last five years, 68 community engagement and education events have been held in SEQ with more than 1,500 participants in attendance. The program’s success highlights the importance of community involvement in conservation, showing that when people come together with a shared purpose, they can make a significant impact on the preservation of biodiversity. The program also complements ongoing revegetation events to restore riparian habitats . As SEQ continues to grow and change, the stewardship provided by PlatypusWatch will be crucial in ensuring that this iconic species remains a thriving part of the region’s natural heritage.