
Photo credit – Daniel Blanks
The platypus is an amazing semi-aquatic mammal that is endemic to Eastern Australia and Tasmania. It is primarily nocturnal, living in creeks and rivers from cold highlands areas to tropical rainforests. Unfortunately platypus numbers appear to be declining due to habitat disruption, water extraction, pollution of waterways and illegal capture.
PlatypusWatch needs your help to learn more about where platypus live and why they are disappearing. PlatypusWatch is a community-based program that engages volunteers in surveying platypus, recording platypus sightings and assessing platypus habitats. This information is used monitor platypus populations and identify what is needed to ensure the protection one of Australia’s most unique species.
If you would like to volunteer for PlatypusWatch, please read the information below and email us at platypus@watergum.org
Latest survey results
August/September 2022
Albert River
3 Platypus
Currumbin Creek
7 Platypus
Nerang River
20 Platypus
Coomera River
8 Platypus
Mudgeeraba Creek
18 Platypus
How to get involved
Join our PlatypusWatch surveys
PlatypusWatch conducts surveys twice a year in Aug/Sep (mating season) and Mar/Apr (babies emerging from the burrows). These are the times of year when platypus are most active so we have a better chance of seeing them.
If you want to sign up as a PlatypusWatch survey volunteer, you will need to first complete an induction which will tell you everything you need to know about platypus and about how to conduct a reliable and successful platypus survey. Induction events are held a month prior to the surveys.
Our regular surveys are fun, social and exciting as you’ll never know what you might see as the sun rises over the water! Enjoy a cuppa or some hot soup after a survey and share stories or photos.
For more info please email: platypus@watergum.org
Report a platypus sighting
Have you seen a platypus in the wild? Great, please let us know by filling out this form. All addresses and locations will be kept private. Your sighting reports to help us to monitor platypus populations.
Platypus online learning
It will take you a couple of hours and will teach you everything you need to know about platypus and the PlatypusWatch program.
However, if you would like to join us on a survey you much first attend an induction. Keep an eye on the Watergum events calendar for upcoming inductions.
Results Maps
Click on the little box and arrow in the top left hand corner to select which survey round results you want to display.
Platypus Videos
Feeding – From Shane and Lee at the Coomera survey, Sept 2020
Scratching – From Daniel at the Nerang survey, Sept 2020
Mating display – From Daniel at the Nerang survey, Sept 2020
Feeding – From Karen at the the Nerang survey, Sept 2020
Feeding – From Charis at the Nerang survey, Aug 2019
Feeding – From Elvira at the Nerang survey, Aug 2019
Mating – From Tarah at the Nerang survey, Aug 2019
Mating – From Steve and Matt at the Mudgeeraba survey, Sept 2018
Hanging out – From Sharon at the Currumbin survey, Sept 2017
This program is supported the City of Gold Coast, Logan City Council and Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland


