Continue our campaign for strong national laws that actually protect nature and wildlife.ĭonate to help save the platypus before its too late.Lead evidence-based, proactive and innovative conservation projects in 2023 to protect our most vulnerable Australian animals from extinction.Help gather the missing data on platypus distribution, demonstrating risk to the species, before it's too late.If nothing is done, it won’t be a case of if the platypus becomes extinct, but when. We only have a tiny window of opportunity to save this unique and very special creature. You’ll also have an incredible time getting out into nature – and hopefully experience the magical moment of spotting a platypus! Sign up to the platy-project here. You can help researchers fill these gaps by visiting priority areas, looking for platypuses, and uploading your findings to the University of New South Wales’ platypus sighting database. There are places within the platypus’ range where sightings have never been recorded, or where they haven’t been seen for a long time. By recording where platypuses live we can understand more about this incredible creature, and help prevent further declines in their numbers. The platy-projectis a nation-wide citizen science project where we’re asking people to head down to their local creek or river, find a quiet place on the bank, try to spot a platypus and record what they see. Photo: Doug Gimesy How you can protect the platypus Take part in the platy project: There is a small introduced population on Kangaroo Island. Platypuses are found in eastern mainland Australia, Tasmania and King Island.The rich vegetation creates sturdy banks for burrows and food for foraging. Rarely spotted in the wild, the best platypus home is a quiet freshwater river with native grasses, shrubs and trees lining the riverbanks.Platypus are elusive, but it is not impossible to spot one! These are four tips on how to spot a platypus.Electroreceptors in the bill of platypuses give them a kind of sixth sense so they can find their food underwater, while keeping their eyes and nose sealed.A monotreme, the platypus is one of only two mammals that lay eggs (the other is the echidna) and male platypuses have a venomous spur on their back feet.The platypus is one of Australia’s strangest and most iconic animals - with a rubbery duck bill, webbed feet, fur, pectoral girdles and splayed legs resembling the skeleton of a reptile.It’s staggering that an animal so central to our national identity isn’t adequately protected.To survive, platypuses need safe habitat to call home.Land-clearing, dams, drought, bushfires and climate change - all impacts of human activity - are destroying critical habitat, leaving them with nowhere to go.What are the biggest threats to the platypus? Already endangered in South Australia and recently listed as vulnerable in Victoria, we believe the platypus should be listed as threatened nationally.Over the past 30 years their habitat has shrunk by at least 22%, or about 200,000 km2, which is an area almost three times the size of Tasmania.Platypus numbers are in decline and this unique creature is now at risk of extinction.Photo: Doug Gimesy Are platypus endangered? Scientific name: Ornithorhynchus anatinusĮndangered status: Vulnerable (VIC), nominated for Threatened (national) We won't get a second chance.Īboriginal names: M atakupay, Mallangong, Tambreet, Gaya-dari, Boondaburra, Lare-re-lar Without urgent action to address the extinction crisis, it won’t be a case of ifthe platypus becomes extinct, but when.ĭonate today to help save the platypus before it's too late.
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