A wildlife ecologist is asking Wyndham residents to take simple steps to protect the handful of platypuses left in the Werribee River.
Josh Griffiths, of scientific research group cesar, says litter, dogs, illegal fishing nets and habitat degradation are the biggest killers of the shy mammals.
Mr Griffiths said researchers lacked accurate data on the number of platypuses in the Werribee River, but he estimated there could be as few as 20 in the stretch between Melton Reservoir and Werribee township.
He said the animals often became entangled in litter such as rubber bands or plastic six-pack drink yokes.
“When you have a population with such low numbers, the loss of one or two platypuses, such as the drowning of a breeding-age female, has a significant impact,” Mr Griffiths said.
‘We don’t know exactly how many are in the [Werribee] area, but it’s quite low. Although there are signs the population is recovering since the drought, it’s a long, slow process that could take 10 to 15 years.”
Mr Griffiths said illegal “opera house” fishing nets or yabby nets often trapped platypuses, turtles and native water rats and drowned them. Dogs can also attack the mammals.
“People can’t have an impact on things like drought, stormwater and run-off, but they can control litter, dogs and illegal fishing nets,” he said.
His organisation will survey the Werribee River platypus population next year, but it’s also encouraging people to post sightings on a website to help gauge numbers.
John Forrester, of the Werribee River Association, said a 2007 survey found one in four platypuses had been hurt because of litter.
“They have been encircled by plastic or had a scar or sore from hitting other litter,” he said.
“The careless attitude people have toward how they dispose of [the packaging] of things they eat and drink means that litter ends up in the Werribee River,” he said.
“There are many recycling options, so there is no excuse.”
» Report platypus sightings to platypusspot.org
