The Great Aus Platypus Search

HELP US SAVE AN AUSTRALIAN ICON

The Great Australian Platypus Search is launching phase one throughout Victoria in August 2021. This project involves a state-wide investigation into platypus populations which will help better our understanding of this threatened species in Victoria. Seeking to unite Victorians in this search, we are using an innovative wildlife detection technique known as environmental DNA (eDNA), which will allow scientists to develop a comprehensive map of platypus populations across the state.

What is eDNA? It refers to traces of DNA that wildlife shed into their environment. This is important information that helps scientists determine distributions of aquatic species, such as the platypus, over large spatial scales.

This initiative is set to be one of the biggest citizen science projects in the world and is gathering never before seen data on one of the world’s most elusive species. The platypus is an Australian icon and an important indigenous species, and this is your opportunity to play a role in protecting the platypus, aquatic vertebrates and Australian waterways for many years to come. By signing up as a citizen scientist, you will help us map platypus populations across Victoria and fill critical gaps in our knowledge of this elusive species.

We are looking for citizen scientists to download our app and help us gather eDNA samples from sampling sites across Victoria. With so many sites to cover, it is likely your local waterway is on our list!