Platypus proliferates

CARDINIA Creek is experiencing a platypus baby boom.
Biologists from the Australian Platypus Conservancy (APC) were overjoyed to find six juveniles during a survey last week.
The discovery comes just three months after illegal yabbying along the creek claimed the lives of two platypuses.
APC director Geoff Williams said the result was a great boost to efforts to re-establish the population of the species. But he warned that illegal yabbying and litterbugs were still putting those efforts at risk.
“The deaths of at least two platypus in folding ‘opera house’ yabby traps last December was a clear reminder of the problems that platypuses still face along Cardinia Creek and elsewhere,” he said.
Mr Williams said a high level of litter found at spots along the creek also posed a major hazard for the animals.
He said discarded nylon fishing line and plastic rings were particularly dangerous.
Ian Chisholm, president of the Cardinia Catchment Landcare Group, said local environment groups were excited about last week’s discovery.
“What that means is that the platypuses are breeding successfully,” he said. “They only lay about two eggs a year so to get six juveniles is exciting.”
The Cardinia Creek platypus reintroduction project is the first of its kind in Australia.
The APC and Melbourne Water re-introduced the species into Cardinia Creek after its original population was wiped out during the Ash Wednesday bushfires.
Successful breeding began in 2006 and has continued every year since. The six babies discovered this year is a record.
Mr Williams said it was important that the breeding program was successful as prolonged drought had put many platypus populations under stress.
“The future of the Cardinia Creek platypus reintroduction is ultimately in the hands of the community,” he said.
“We urge everyone to watch out for illegal folding yabby and crayfish nets and report them immediately to Fisheries Officers on 13 FISH.”