Want to be part of The Platy-Project this month?
Today is National Threatened Species Day and Bega Valley Shire Council is encouraging residents and visitors to better understand and potentially record one of Australia’s most unique and iconic species, the platypus this month.
Photograph courtesy of Matthew Higgins. Platypus sighted in a Bega Valley waterway.
7 September 2023
Today is National Threatened Species Day and Bega Valley Shire Council is encouraging residents and visitors to better understand and potentially record one of Australia’s most unique and iconic species, the platypus this month.
Council’s Environmental Management Officer, Erin Moon said platypus numbers are in decline and they are at risk of localised extinction.
“By learning more about platypuses and recording where they live, we can better understand this incredible species and help prevent further decline in numbers,” Ms Moon said.
“During September each year, the Australian Conservation Foundation and researchers from the University of NSW run The platy-project, to record and map platypus habitat across the country.
“We are asking shire residents and visitors to head to a local creek or river during September and try to spot a platypus and record what they see, or don’t see.
“If you look at the map on The platy-project webpage, you will see plenty of sightings across the Bega Valley, except they are mostly old sightings.
“The very few newer sightings, between 2017 and 2023, are in Bega, Lochiel, Bemboka and Tantawanglo.
“We’re pretty sure platypuses are located in more townships and surrounding areas and would love to know where they are.”
Ms Moon said land clearing, dams, bushfires and drought destroy important platypus habitat, leaving them with nowhere to go.
“There are places within the platypus’ range where sightings have never been recorded, or where they haven’t been seen for a long time. These are our biggest gaps in knowledge.
“You can help researchers fill these gaps by visiting priority areas, looking for platypuses and uploading your findings to the University of NSW platypus sighting database.”
National Threatened Species Day aims to raise awareness of animals and plants at risk of extinction and recognises the anniversary of the last Tasmanian tiger that died in Hobart Zoo on this day in 1936.
Australia is home to more than 500,000 animal and plant species, many of which are found nowhere else in the world. In NSW there are close to 1,000 animal and plant species at risk of extinction.
The Bega Valley is home to 227 NSW-listed threatened plants and animal species.
Making an enquiry
All media enquiries and interview requests are coordinated by Council's Communication and Events team under the adopted Communications Policy. To view this policy, visit Public Policies and search 'communications'.
To submit a media enquiry or to request an interview:
- email media@begavalley.nsw.gov.au
- call 02 6499 2222
Councillors
Councillors can be contacted directly for enquiries regarding decisions of the elected Council and non-operational matters. Interviews with the Mayor should be arranged through the Communication and Events team contact details above.
Receiving information
If you’re a journalist or media organisation that would like to receive media releases and notifications about media opportunities, please email your name, title and contact details to media@begavalley.nsw.gov.au and we will add you to our distribution list.
You can also subscribe to Bega Valley Together and Business News, Council's fortnightly e-newsletters, or follow @begavalleyshirecouncil on Facebook and Instagram.
© Bega Valley Shire Council 2024
Our council websites
Contact Us
- 02 6499 2222
- council@begavalley.nsw.gov.au
-
Zingel Place
PO Box 492
Bega NSW 2550 -
Monday to Friday 9.00AM to 4.30PM
Administration building Zingel Place Bega
Australia -
ABN: 26 987 935 332
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