Seeing young platypus in the vast Cattai catchment area surprised WSU ecologist Dr Michelle Ryan who is leading a team of scientists to further investigate creeks connected to the breadth of the Hawkesbury-Nepean River.
Dr Ryan’s team is monitoring signs of more platypus possibly thriving on the waterways connected to the river such as South Creek, Catti Creek and Mulgoa Creek.
“We have not collected enough data yet to determine if they are increasing in population, but we have captured juvenile platypus this year which is a great sign,” Dr Ryan said.
Hills Shire mayor Dr Peter Gangemi said finding platypus in waterways along the shire’s urbanized areas a stone’s throw away from Parramatta and Sydney CBDs meant residents must quickly learn how to protect the amazing mammal unique to Australia.
“We all have a role to play in protecting our platypus that’s why I’m encouraging residents to participate in workshops happening across the month of August to further protect these amazing creatures in our community,” Dr Gangemi said.
“The discovery of their population in The Hills is very exciting, we are proud to house some closest to the Sydney CBD.
"We are holding bush care events, environmental workshops, working bees where people can learn about caring for our environment and taking proactive measures in their own backyard to promote the survival of our native species.”
A series of free events for school children, their parents and residents are being held in the shire to showcase the story of “Bluey the platypus”, a duck-billed and beaver-tailed mammal commonly found in eastern parts of Australia and the east and west of the Great Dividing Range.
According to the NSW National Parks and Wildlife website, the platypus habitats can be found at Brisbane Water National Park, Budderoo National Park, Guula Ngurra National Park, Monga National Park, Jenolan Karst Conservation Reserve and many parts of the Kosciusko National Park such as the High Plains, Khancoban, Lower Snowy River, Selwyn Area, Tumut Area, and Yarrangobilly.
The platypus, whose scientific name is ornithorhynchus anatinus, is among the protected species in Australia including kangaroos, dingoes, wallabies, wombats, koala and echidna.
“It is important that we look after all our waterways, especially watching out for what goes down our stormwater drains,” Dr Ryan said.
“Pesticides, detergents, and litter can all have a big impact on the platypus, even if you do not live near a creek.
“All our stormwater goes directly into creeks so we must keep that in mind.
“Platypuses have a special place in the Aboriginal culture during colonialism…We can use the platypus as an icon for waterways health.
“If we create healthy environments for platypus, we will create healthy environments for hundreds of plants and animal species.”
Hills Shire has teamed up with local schools to hold events teaching students about caring for platypus and other native animals and plants, Dr Gangemi said.
Residents can find out more about a series of platypus storytelling events this month by clicking Council’s event webpage on https://www.thehills.nsw.gov.au/Upcoming-Events-Activities/Storytelling-about-Platypus-in-The-Hills.
