By Derek Schlennstedt
We all leave traces of our presence behind as we move through our environment.
Our skin cells, hair, saliva, or blood persist in places we have been.
DNA can be taken from these cells to identify us, just like in crime shows.
Animals are no exception – they leave DNA behind as they swim, crawl, and walk through their various habitats, and just like the criminals who inevitably leave behind traces of their DNA, so too do Platypuses leave behind their evidence.
Tania Preston is one of the people whose duty it is to track these mammals and on Clean Up Australia Day, is collecting samples from Monbulk Creek and holding a clean-up event to ensure the future of these unique and shy creatures in the area.
“We know that from previous surveys of platypus in Monbulk Creek that they’re actually quite locally endangered … these are the last platypus that live in the whole Dandenong catchment,” Melbourne Water Waterwatch co-ordinator Tiana Preston said.
“They used to be found in other parts of the catchment but have sinces receded, so Melbourne water is doing a lot of work to try and improve the habitat in that area and try and keep the existing population we have.”
That work also falls to residents who want platypus to remain in the Dandenongs.
Tania said that the few remaining platypus in the Dandenong Catchment are at risk of being entangled in rubbish and although she has noticed a decrease in rubbish, more work still needs to be done.
“Anything in the street goes into the nearest waterway which are basically a collection point for our rubbish, and that poses an entanglement hazard for animals.”
“Clean up Australia day is about keeping that habitat healthy so we don’t lose these precious animals.”
“Each year we are seeing a small decrease in the rubbish we collect but there’s still too much so it’s something we want to keep on top of.”
The event will be held on Sunday 3 March from 9:30am- 11:30am, at Belgrave Lake Park, meeting near the playground.
Free refreshments are available on the day and to RSVP contact waterwatch@melbournewater.com.au or phone 131722.
Waterwatch is also holding a survey that investigates opportunities to improve the platypus habitat within Monbulk Creek and is asking resident for ideas on how to improve the health of Monbulk Creek and identify key issues, opportunities and future priorities.
The survey can be accessed here https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/L3C5FVV
