Where we monitor platypus populations

Watergum’s PlatypusWatch monitors the Albert River, Coomera River, Mudgeeraba Creek, Nerang River and Currumbin Creek and has data going back as far as 2010. This allows us to evaluate how platypus populations change over time and to act as an early warning system.

You can view past years’ data and program outcomes here.

Previously we also monitored Tallebudgera Creek. We had many reports of platypus being there 20+ years ago, however in our 10+ years of surveying, platypus were never observed. We did receive a credible incidental sighting at one point with everyone getting very excited. We quickly assembled a roster and PlatypusWatch volunteers stationed themselves there every morning for nearly six weeks, but unfortunately, no platypus were observed. In 2017, we received funding to perform eDNA (Environmental DNA) testing, to confirm once and for all, whether platypus still lived in Tallebudgera Creek.

eDNA sampling allows you to confirm presence of specific species in the water. By taking samples of the water and testing it for platypus DNA we can confirm not only whether or not platypus are present, but how close to their activities our testing sites are. If we receive a weak result we can take our next round of samples a bit further up or down-stream and as we see the sample get stronger, we know we are nearing their burrow and their main area of activity.

After consistently negative results we were forced to accept that platypus were indeed extinct in the Tallebudgera creek system. Tallebudgera creek is a small and disconnected system, meaning once the original platypus population died off it is not a likely spot for a new population to become established, as it is difficult and dangerous for platypus to travel far across land to reach it. The lone platypus we once saw there was likely a young male on the search for new territory. He would have quickly realised that there were no female platypus living in this creek system and therefore there was no hope of breeding and passing on his genes. It is likely that he soon left to find somewhere where other platypus were already present.

eDNA testing in the Albert river however, was successful! As a result of those positive results we expanded PlatypusWatch into the Logan Council Area.

PlatypusWatch continues to test Tallebudgera creek, as well as other areas where we have received incidental sightings, every two years or so. As a PlatypusWatch volunteer, this is something you can get involved with once you have completed the induction.