Media Release from Australian Platypus Conservancy - On the Lookout fo
Published on 07 December 2020
Residents of Benalla are being asked to help monitor their local platypus population as part of an exciting study that will help to conserve this iconic species. Experts from the Australian Platypus Conservancy will shortly be visiting the area to check on platypus numbers. In the early mornings of Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th December they will present a free information session about platypus conservation and provide practical training for interested persons in how to spot platypus and record data.
APC biologist Geoff Williams said that Benalla had one of the best platypus populations of any regional town in Victoria, with good numbers seen in both Lake Benalla and the waterways flowing into it. However, the species is now regarded as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List and so keeping track of how populations are faring over time is of key importance.
“We already have good information about the Benalla population that has been built up over several years. This is extremely valuable when it comes to management issues such as planning the drawdown of water in the lake from time to time to eliminate the invasive aquatic weed Cabomba,” said Geoff.
“However, we really need more volunteers to keep the monitoring up to scratch. Standardised visual scans don’t take huge amounts of time – participants only need to spend 5 minutes at each site. So we hope people will come along and find out what is involved – it’s easy, enjoyable and rewarding.”
Anyone interested in attending the Benalla platypus sessions should contact the Conservancy (platypus.apc@westnet.com.au) to make a booking; places are limited by Covid restrictions.
The APC use of citizen science to keep track of local platypus numbers is conducted in partnership with Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (GBCMA) and with the support of the local council.
For further information contact:
Australian Platypus Conservancy:
Geoff Williams 03 5416 1478/0419 595939
Email: platypus.apc@westnet.com.au
medrel.platypus search (Benalla)/3 Dec 2020
Australian Platypus Conservancy:
Geoff Williams
03 5416 1478
0419 595939
platypus.apc@westnet.com.au
Benalla Rural City Council supports the project, which is conducted in partnership with the APC and Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (GBMCA).
For further information contact:
Australian Platypus Conservancy:
Geoff Williams 03 5416 1478/0419 595939
Email: platypus.apc@westnet.com.au