UNSW research finds platypus should be listed as threatened species

University of NSW (UNSW) researchers, along with the Australian Conservation Foundation, WWF-Australia and Humane Society International Australia, have today nominated the platypus to be listed as a threatened species under Commonwealth and NSW processes.

Research unveiled that parts of Australia where platypus are found has shrunk by at least 22% or about 200,000 km² – an area almost three times the size of Tasmania – in the past 30 years.

The research found the decline in platypus observations was most severe in NSW (32% reduction) and Queensland (27%). Although Victoria recorded a statewide decline of 7%, there have been reductions of 18-65% in some Melbourne catchments since 1995.

The research led by Dr Tahneal Hawke, Dr Gilad Bino and Professor Richard Kingsford of UNSW concludes the platypus is now likely to meet the criteria for listing as a threatened species under Australia’s national environmental law.

Declines in platypus observations were worst in places where natural river systems and water flows have been most heavily modified, such as the Murray-Darling Basin.

New dams, the over-extraction of water from rivers, land clearing, attacks by foxes and dogs, pollution and suburban sprawl are the main factors driving the decline.

Platypus also drown in closed freshwater traps designed to catch yabbies and fish, which are still legally sold in NSW and Queensland.

The changing climate also presents a serious new threat to platypus, with more severe droughts, reduced rainfall and intense fires drying out rivers and river vegetation.

Professor Richard Kingsford, a lead author of the report and the Director of the Centre for Ecosystem Science at UNSW advised “protecting the platypus and the rivers it relies on must be a national priority for one of the world’s most iconic animals.

“There is a real concern that platypus populations will disappear from some of our rivers without returning, if rivers keep degrading with droughts and dams.

“We have a national and international responsibility to look after this unique animal and the signs are not good. Platypus are declining and we need to do something about threats to the species before it is too late,” Professor Kingsford said.

Dr Paul Sinclair, Campaigns Director at the Australian Conservation Foundation, which commissioned the research noted “While our national environmental laws should be much stronger, listing the platypus as a threatened species is a critical first step towards conserving this iconic Australian species and putting it on a path to recovery.

“The platypus is one of the most unique and archaic mammal species in existence, and this research along with recent advice to list the species as vulnerable in Victoria makes it abundantly clear there’s no time to waste in increasing their protection,” said Evan Quartermain, Head of Programs at Humane Society International Australia.

WWF-Australia Senior Manager, Land Clearing and Restoration, Dr Stuart Blanch added “Platypuses are to rivers what koalas are to forests.

“These days a sighting of just a few platypuses is often associated with a healthy population, but historical records suggest today’s numbers are only a fraction of what they once were. This alarming decline is the wakeup call we need to better protect our rivers and creeks.”

Platypus need healthy rivers and streams where they can swim and forage for food around riverbeds and riverbanks. They have traditionally been found from tropical north Queensland all the way down the east coast to Victoria and across most of Tasmania.

Image courtesy of UNSW