The platypus population swimming around the Albert River is much smaller than in neighbouring rivers, but a local expert says Logan residents can help it improve.
Watergum’s PlatypusWatch has been surveying the native creatures in the Albert River since 2018.
Aleta Saville, a local resident and Watergum administation officer, said the surveys consistently showed local platypus numbers were “quite low”.
Over the years, results have varied between zero and three sightings along the Albert River.
Surveys of the Gold Coast’s Mudgeeraba Creek, however, can record about 14 platypus sightings.
Ms Saville said low sightings did not always equal low numbers.
“The numbers are quite low due to a number of different factors when it comes to the Albert River,” Ms Saville said.
“We’ve had a lot of natural disasters go through the river, which has made an impact on the platypus population and the environment around it.
“And along the river there are a lot of private landholders, so we can’t gauge what the full population is simply because we can’t access it.”
She said that was why Watergum needed to raise awareness about its surveys, which they run twice a year in April when platypus are “emerging from their burrows” and again in September during breeding season.
“That’s when platypus activities are generally higher.”
For locals looking to join in, Ms Saville said early morning or late afternoon were the best hours to spot a platypus.
But it’s important not to get your hopes up.
“They’re just really elusive and shy little creatures,” she said.
“And they tend to be nocturnal.”
There are ways to keep the local population healthy and potentially boost numbers, including by keeping pets away and the river free from debris, and even planting the appropriate vegetation to mitigate erosion.
“We find that the Albert River can be quite polluted at times,” Ms Saville said.
“We just encourage residents and landholders to make sure they don’t litter because that affects platypus population, and to be vigilant down by the creek.
“Don’t send your dogs down there – make sure that when you walk your dogs they are on leads at all times.
“And if you’re a landholder that backs onto the Albert River, protect that riparian zone – plant the right vegetation to stop erosion and that ensures a good platypus habitat down there.”
All the data collected during the surveys is passed onto the local council and government departments for conservation and protection.
